South Korean model Mina Sue Choi bested 85 delegates to win Miss Earth 2022 on 29 November at The Cove in Okada Manila.
Miss Earth 2021 Destiny Wagner of Belize crowned the Sydney-born communication major from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the first Korean to win Miss Earth and one of the four major international beauty pageant titles.
Choi said she wants to promote the reduction of carbon footprint in cities via sustainable mobility and encouraging lifestyles that will help reduce carbon emissions.
Her elemental court includes Australia's Sheridan Mortlock (Miss Earth Air), Palestine's Nadeen Ayoub (Miss Earth Water), and Colombia's Andrea Aguilera (Miss Earth Fire).
The Philippines' Jenny Ramp made it to top 20.
For the sixth consecutive time, James Deakin hosted the event, with Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong, Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco and Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel as live commentators.
For the first time since 2019, after Covid-19 restrictions eased, the pageant returned to the Philippines as a live, in-person event.
"As soon as I got on stage, the pain just went away. Yeah, my feet were starting to hurt, but other than that, I was going all the way… I just wanna thank the fans and Korea, I hope I made you guys proud and my parents as well," Choi said in an exclusive interview with her court on Daily Tribune's online program Gising Na!
She said that, at a young age, she dealt with many challenges as a semi-bilingual living in Australia, Canada, and the US: "The biggest thing I learned while meeting people and traveling all over the world is empathy. It's a value that's very important to me… We tend to encounter miscommunication, but it happens because we just can't see from their (other people's) perspectives."
Mortlock, like Choi, is a model, and an international relations and political student who has traveled worldwide. Her advocacy, based on the acronym ACE (Action, Care, and Education) on climate change and environmental protection, are linked through webs of connection.
When she was nine or 10, her mom, dad and two younger brothers left Melbourne and traveled around Australia for 14 months, living in a camper. "That was such an enriching experience for me.
I didn't realize that time, but it subconsciously connected me to the environment and to nature, which is why I'm studying global sustainability as well at university. It's a completely beautiful experience I wish everybody could have," said Mortlock, who was also voted Miss Congeniality and an aspiring parliament representative.
Ayoub, a nutrition consultant, fitness instructor, model, and entrepreneur, said she wants to work with a Palestinian woman chemist who makes organic skin and hair products derived from natural Palestinian oils.
She's open to new experiences: "I'm a very spontaneous person, especially when I'm traveling, I like to get out of the box. It's like losing a bit of your identity, it gives you a sense of freedom, like I don't have any of these limitations." She once sang with a street guitarist when she traveled to Florence, Italy.
Aguilera, a professional model and television and events presenter, said she wants to focus on the preservation and protection of the environment through her Colombia's "bottles of love" project.
She grew up in an artistic environment and maintains an active lifestyle. She has engaged in singing, dancing, cheerleading, acting, and modeling. "I think God gives you all the tools you need in life to achieve your purpose," said Aguilera, who was likewise adjudged Miss Photogenic.
After almost a month with other Miss Earth delegates, Aguilera flew back to Colombia after the interview. She described Filipinos as loving and caring people in a beautiful country.
