Yllana Marie Aduana crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2023

Yllana Marie Aduana from Siniloan, Laguna won the Miss Philippines Earth 2023 title during the coronation night in Toledo City, Cebu.

The 24-year-old medical laboratory scientist and model bested 27 other candidates for the crown during the environmentally dedicated national pageant for Filipinas. Outgoing Miss Philippines Earth 2022 Jenny Ramp crowned Yllana at the event.

During the Top 10 hashtag portion, Yllana received the word "safety" and touched on food and water security. This month, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) warned of the onset of the El Niño phenomenon and asked the public to do its part in conserving the water supply.

"Safety plays a very salient role in our lives," she said.

"We have to always be secure, not only safe but also in terms of water security, food security because as Miss Philippines Earth, I know that I am hardworking person, and I can always incorporate this in order for us to achieve safety at all costs and protect Mother Earth the way she protects us all with all safety," she added.

In the final question-and-answer portion, the top five candidates were asked: "What do you think people in the future would say about your generation?"

Yllana said,"I would definitely say that our generation, although misconstrued as very ardent, I would like to say that we use our voices for a reason and that is to 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. That is why I’m also conducting colloquiums on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their interconnectedness to nature in hopes to precipitate people’s consciousness because our future is the linebackers and the pioneers of environmental amelioration and we should always take advantage of it at all cost."

For the elemental queens, Kerri Reilly from Mangatarem, Pangasinan won Miss Philippines Air 2023 while Jemimah Joy Zabala from Puerto Princesa won Miss Philippines Water 2023.

Sha'uri Livori of the Filipino community in Melbourne, Australia bagged the Miss Philippines Fire 2023 title while Athena Auxillo of Toledo City was honored as Miss Philippines Eco Tourism 2023.

Yllana will compete in the international pageant in Vietnam. —LBG, GMA Integrated News