THE Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental has welcomed the arrival of 14 candidates of Miss Earth 2019, as they presented themselves in front of officials and employees of the Capitol after the flag raising ceremony Monday morning, October 7.
The Miss Earth Candidates, namely, Melanie Gassner (Austria), Letizia Percoco (Italy), Nera Nikolic (Croatia), Alexia Tabione (Malta), Nellys Pimentel (Puerto Rico), Maria Batistel (Brazil), Jociani Daysi Repossi (Paraguay), Susan Kirui (Kenya), Anais Payet (Reunion Island), Hu Wentian (China), Titania Tiara Monic Matekuolava (Tonga), Tejaswini Manogna (India), Georgia Bemah (Liberia) and Hoang Thi Hanh (Vietnam) arrived at the Laguindingan Airport last Sunday, October 6.
"This is a very, very meaningful moment for Misamis Oriental. Again, very historic. Because for the first time, Misamis Oriental has been visited by international delegates of the Miss Earth pageant," said lawyer Jeffrey Saclot, the provincial tourism department head.
"What awaits them is the fact that we will be showing some of the environment-related destinations of the province, and I refer to the eco-tourism destinations," he added.
According to Saclot, the Miss Earth candidates will be planting mangrove trees in Tubajon Aquamarine Park in Laguindingan, and will be visiting the Initao-Libertad Protected Seascape and Landscape Tuesday, October 8.
"This is an opportunity for Misamis Oriental that I say that our candidates, after their short visit in the province, will be able to tell their countrymen and countrywomen that they have been to the islands of Mindanao. It has been very peaceful," Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano said.
"And I hope that they too will give it opportunity and visit the province," he added.
Emano also assured that as long as he is still the governor of the province, he will continue to support Miss Earth.
"I do hope and pray and wish that you will all your stay in Misamis Oriental and let Misamis Oriental be part of the places in the future that you will be visiting," Emano said.
Following the flag raising ceremony and the presentation of the candidates, the Miss Earth candidates also had a press conference where they talked about their environmental advocacies and answered questions from the media.
They also had their fashion show at the Centrio Ayala Mall on the same day.