Fil-Italian wins Miss Earth Philippines 2018

While everybody was busy gushing over Meghan Markle marrying Prince Harry, a Fil-Italian beauty was crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2018.

Karen Ibasco passed on her crown to her Silvia Celeste Cortesi, a 20-year-old model who hails from Rome, Italy.

Silvia, whose advocacy is trees, bested 30 other candidates at the Miss Earth Philippines coronation night held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, May 19, 2018.

During the question and answer portion, Celeste was asked about the controversial Boracay closure. Her winning answer was:

I agree with the decision of President Duterte. And I think that Boracay needs a drainage system because the 'juice' of trash goes directly on the ocean. We have to control the capacity of hotels.

She leads a group of five winners, including Miss Earth Eco-tourism Halimatu Tanador Yushawu from Zamboanga Sibugay, Miss Earth Water Berjayneth Goc-Ong  Chee from Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Miss Philippines Air  Zahra Bianca Saldua from Las Piñas City and Miss Philippines Fire  Jean de Jesus from San Rafael, Bulacan.

Winners of the Miss Earth Philippines 2018 pose during the coronation night at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Saturday, May 19, 2018, from left are Miss Earth Eco-tourism Halimatu Tanador Yushawu from Zamboanga Sibugay, Miss Earth Water Berjayneth Goc-Ong Chee from Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Miss Philippines Earth 2018 from Rome, Italy Silvia Celeste Cortesi, Miss Philippines Air Zahra Bianca Saldua from Las Piñas City and Miss Philippines Fire Jean de Jesus from San Rafael, Bulacan. DANNY PATA

— LA, GMA News