Palace congratulates Jamie Herrell for winning this year's 'Miss Earth' title

Malacañang congratulated Cebu City's Jamie Herrell for winning this year's Miss Earth beauty title following a coronation held Saturday evening at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

"Ikinagagalak po natin ang kanyang tagumpay at binabati natin siya sa paglalagay muli sa ating bansa sa world map ng pagkilala in terms of beauty and talent," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said over the state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.

The 19-year old Cebuana bested out a total of 85 delegates from different countries in this year's Miss Earth competition to bring the title back to the Philippines.

Coloma said they welcome Herrell's achievement, knowing that Miss Earth is an annual international beauty pageant aimed at promoting environmental awareness and eco-tourism.

"Mahalaga po diyan sa pageant na 'yan ang pagpapataas ng kamalayan at kaalaman hinggil sa kahalagahan ng environmental integrity ng ating planeta – kaya nga po 'yan tinawag na Miss Earth – at sana po ay makatulong nga itong paligsahang ito, itong pageant na ito sa pagpapataas ng kamalayan ng ating mga mamamayan," he said.

Miss Earth is considered as one of the so-called 'Big Four' beauty competitions in the world along with Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International.

Also crowned last night as runners-up to Herrell were United States of America's Andrea Neu (Miss Earth-Air), Venezuela's Maira Alexandra Rodriguez (Miss Earth-Water), and Russia's Anastasia Trusova (Miss Earth-Fire). (PNA)