ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Post a comment       RELATED STORIES   Bike culture for exercise and less pollution Ban sought on sale of silver cleaners 42 nabbed for dynamite fishing at Tubbataha RP's most expensive fish faces extinction 42 fishermen arrested for dynamite fishing Why being a mom rocks Only the best for Mommy Dionesia DMCI cements hold on market for condos Miss RP-Earth tonight GALLERY 1 Next   Zoom    MISS Philippines-Earth 2009 Sandra Seifert (center), is flanked by (from left) Michelle Martha, Miss Philippines-Air; Adie Adelantar (Ecotourism), Patricia Marie Tumulak (Fire) and Catherine Loyola (Water). NIÑO JESUS ORBETA Arroyo in Indonesia for Coral Triangle meet Coral reef ruin linked to Albay town mining Climate meeting urges world to protect oceans SC to mining firm: Pay Marinduque P36M tax ‘Teysi’s’ son raring to show his designs New skin-brightening formula for Asian skin The best place to go for ‘crisis prices’ Stars wear big trends Think ’80s, think blue eye shadow Sizzling showcase of super bodies in Boracay Reinventing the Filipino brand Iloilo’s prized fish and specialties How to contour and highlight your face Ming’s tuna parfait and the 35-inch pizza More Stories » Showbiz and Style Common-sense solution: Virgin coconut oil Try the P20 refrigerator test Wild Filipino welcome for 2 American idols Bohol resort is Visayan furniture showcase Her sister’s keeper ‘American Idol’ winner, runner-up in Manila Flushing out gallstones ‘Baon’ of the week’-- Pink citrus juice How we choose to forget Penk Ching’s cake for Judy Ann, Ryan a coup Showbiz and Style As a Kapamilya, Kris shouldn’t sulk—Willie A place to call their own Pia in hot seat on ‘Millionaire’? Beth Tamayo ‘Teysi’s’ son raring to show his designs Amalia Fuentes charged with robbery Stars wear big trends Way to go, Judy Ann and Ryan Baron just ‘on loan,’ still a Kapamilya New skin-brightening formula for Asian skin Pageant exec quits over Miss Calif decision The complexities of relationships   Showbiz and Style Most Read RSS Tierra Maria Estates A fast-rising, fully-developed residential farming subdivision located in Brgy. Anilao, Lipa City, Batangas. Make-Up By Jeng Sy-Flores & Carlan Teng Look for: Jeng Sy-Flores/Carlan Teng Landline: 645.1848/645.7165 Mobile Phone: 0917.5585806/0920.9503612

MANILA, Philippines—Negros Occidental province achieved two victories in the Miss Philippines-Earth pageant held at The Arena in San Juan City on Sunday.

The last women standing in the final moments of the competition were two Negrense beauties: Filipino-German model Sandra Seifert, representing Negros Occidental, and Adie Adelantar from Victorias City. Both were former candidates of rival pageant Binibining Pilipinas.

Seifert, 25, a New York City-educated nurse, beat 49 other contestants and brought home the title of Miss Philippines-Earth 2009. She won P250,000, plus other prizes, and will represent the country in the Miss Earth pageant later this year.

Adelantar, on the other hand, was proclaimed Miss Philippines-Ecotourism and Miss Pagcor. She brought home P250,000 and other prizes.

Seifert was an early favorite, collecting four special citations—Best in Cultural Costume, Miss RCBC E-Woman, Gandang Ricky Reyes and Best in Swimsuit.

Crowd favorite

Seifert was a popular favorite in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant in March, but was disqualified two days before the proclamation night for having posed in a men’s magazine in 2007.

On Sunday night, the 5-foot-9-inch model again proved that she was the crowd favorite. Aside from her Eurasian good looks, gorgeous physique and stunning grace, she impressed the judges with her quick wit and genuine concern for the environment.

When asked what she would change to make herself a better environmentalist, Seifert said: “When I joined Miss Earth I became aware of the things I can do as a Filipina and as a citizen of the world. I would like to share this awareness with more people, whether on a personal level or through the media … [I want to] make a difference in every little way I can.”

She nailed the competition with her strong answer.

Seifert is the fourth Binibining Pilipinas castoff to win the Miss Philippines-Earth title. The other former contestants are reigning Miss Earth Karla Henry, Miss Philippines-Earth 2007 Jeanne Harn, and Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan.

Other winners

Quezon City’s Patricia Marie Tumulak was crowned Miss Philippines-Fire and Miss Science and Technology, and brought home P150,000.

Aklan’s Michelle Martha Braun was proclaimed Miss Philippines-Air, while Catherine Loyola, from the Filipino Community in Sydney, was declared Miss Philippines-Water.

For the duration of their reign, the five winners, along with the five runners-up, will spearhead environmental projects led by pageant organizer Carousel Productions and the Miss Earth Foundation.

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