Yllana Marie Aduana, a medical laboratory scientist who represented Laguna, captured the Miss Philippines Earth 2023 title Saturday night in Toledo, Cebu.

The 24-year-old Aduana, who hails from Siniloan, won over 27 other candidates and will vie for the Miss Earth which will be held in Vietnam later this year.

Aduana will try to become the fifth Filipina to win Miss Earth which was last won by the country in 2017 courtesy of Karen Ibasco.

The last five candidates were asked: “What do you think people in the future would say about your generation?”

Aduana answered: “I would definitely say that our generation, although misconstrued as very ardent, I would have to say that we use our voice for a reason, and that is to always speak up for the things that we know are right, and for the things that we know we deserve, that is why we are very ardent about it.”

“Because our future [are] the linebackers and pioneers of environmental amelioration, and we should always take advantage of it at all costs,” she added.

Also winning titles were Kerri Reilly of Mangatarem, Pangasinan (Miss Philippines Air); Jemimah Joy Zabala, Puerto Princesa (Miss Philippines Water); Sha’uri Livori, Filipino Community in Melbourne, Australia (Miss Philippines Fire); and Athena Auxillo, Toledo City (Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism).