Miss Philippines Earth 2020 Roxanne Allison “Roxie” Baeyens from Baguio City has won the beauty title of Miss Earth Water, one of the elemental crowns, in the 2020 Miss Earth pageant.
Baeyens was crowned in the virtual Miss Earth grand coronation held on November 29, 2020, where Miss USA Lindsey Coffey bagged her country’s first Miss Earth title.
The 23-year-old Filipina beauty queen wowed the judges and the audience in her green gown created by Rian Fernandez and inspired from the rice terraces of the Cordillera region in Northern Philippines, just a few days after she showcased her national costume inspired from the legend of Malakas and Maganda.
“This gown is carefully handcrafted to perfection and inspired with the Rice Terraces of the majestic Cordilleras of the Philippines creating a social balance of the landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between mankind and the environment,” Baeyens shared on her Instagram post.
“The bodice depicts the high rice fields of the Ifugao and the skirt represents the contours of the mountains,” she added.
“This Rian Fernandez masterpiece reminds us the sacred tradition to continuously ensure the sustainability and conservation of this living cultural treasure over time.”
As one of the Best Eco-Video winners, the country’s bet automatically advanced to the Top 16 semifinal round and eventually reached the Top 8.
During the question-and-answer portion, the Filipino-Belgian beauty and other delegates were asked: “This year 2020 brought us a lot of conspiracy theories and conflicting news. How do you reconcile this with the concept of truth?”
For her answer, Baeyens responded: “As citizens, we have to know what is fiction or not and we have to filter what we see on social media and only check what is valid because as human beings, we should only spread what is the truth.
“Mostly, now that we are in a global health pandemic, we cannot afford fake news. We just have to work in solidarity, as unified people, to be able to reach out.
“And I am standing here today because I care for the people and Mother Earth is a loving place that is worth fighting for. No to fake news.”
Aside from the Best in Eco Video award, Baeyens also won Best in Evening Gown and Best in Talent from the Asia and Oceania group.
“Beyond grateful to be your Miss Earth – Water 2020,” the Pinay beauty titleholder expressed on her social media after the competition. “Throughout this year, I have changed and grown so much as a person. Learning to find the confidence as a spokesperson is not the easiest journey but I have found power in my voice along the way.”
She continued: “Environmental Protection has grown in me day by day and I know this is what should be given more importance while we are still given the gift to live. This is the end to a new beginning.”
Baeyens also expressed her gratitude to all those who have supported her in her pageant journey and dedicated her success to the Filipino people.
“I have so much gratitude for the Miss Earth Organization who helped me find who I truly am and what I am destined for.
“Beyond grateful for team Philippines and everyone who held my hands and showed me I can do it. It was a year long journey of up and downs, twist and twirlies, but if there’s one thing I have learned, it is that everything worth having is worth working hard for with all your heart. This is for us, all of us,” she concluded.
Last year, Baeyens also brought pride to the country by winning the 1st Runner-up title at Miss Tourism and Culture Universe in Myanmar.
Roxie Baeyens made history in earning the privilege to represent the Philippines in the Miss Earth pageant after winning the national competition held virtually for the first time due to the Covid pandemic.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Baguio City’s Roxie Baeyens for being crowned Miss Earth Water 2020!
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