Silay beauty Top 10 in Miss Philippines-Earth

SILAY City bet Riah Angelica De Ocampo ended her Miss Philippines Earth 2021 journey as one of the Top 10 finalists during the pageant's virtual grand coronation Sunday, August 8, 2021.

The 26-year-old beauty queen from the Negros Occidental city also bagged the gold award in the Talent Competition (Dance Category) and silver in Beach Wear Competition.

She competed against 65 other ladies from all over the country who made it to the cut of official candidates for this year’s pageant.

In one of the question and answer segments, De Ocampo was asked about the qualities that she is most grateful for.

"The qualities that [I am] most grateful for are compassion, empathy, a big serviceable heart, and a humble spirit that has the passion to take care of our environment," she answered.

De Ocampo added that "I would like to take these qualities to Miss Philippines Earth to share love and spread awareness about protecting our mother earth because we only have one planet and we only have one life so let us not waste it."

In her final statement, she said, "It is no doubt that the pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives and I believe that it is important to remember that let us all stay strong and this pandemic cannot stop us from achieving our goals. It's my dream to be in this Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant and I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Let us stay strong. Let us all stay safe. Let us follow health protocols and be a part, share our part so that we will protect not just ourselves but also of our loved ones and community."

A tourism management graduate of La Consolacion College-Bacolod, the Miss Philippines Earth aspirant currently works as a flight attendant of Philippines Airlines.

De Ocampo, in an interview prior to the competition, said she felt grateful that God has given her an opportunity to be one of the candidates for Ms. Philippines Earth.

"It's humbling that among the many aspirants, and after many stages, I have been chosen," she said.

De Ocampo was crowned Lin-ay sang Silay in 2012 and finished second runner-up during the Lin-ay sang Negros in 2013.

Joining one of the biggest beauty pageants in the country, De Ocampo said she feels overjoyed by the love and support that she is receiving from her family, friends, fellow Negrenses and other people.

Negros Occidental Third District Representative Francisco Benitez lauded the Silaynon beauty "for a strong Top 10 finish at the Miss Earth Philippines 2021."

"Bugal ka sang Third District [You're a pride of the Third District]," he posted on Facebook.

Some Negrenses also took to social media to congratulate the Negrense lass.

Meanwhile, crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2021 was Naelah Alshorbaji of Parañaque City.

Other winners are Ameera Almamari of Atimonan, Quezon - Miss Philippines - Air; Rocel Angelah Songano of Iloilo City - Miss Philippines - Water; Roni Meneses of Mandaluyong City - Miss Philippines - Fire; and Sofia Lopez Galve of Tanay, Rizal - Miss Philippines-Ecotourism.*