“Ladies and gentlemen, your elemental core and Miss Philippines Earth 2023, Siniloan, Laguna, Yllana Marie Aduana,” Robi Domingo shouted along with the audience’s exuberant cheers and applause.
Amidst a sea of hopefuls, a new queen has emerged to lead the charge for a greener future. Yllana "Yana" Marie Aduana stood tall and proud during the Miss Philippines Earth (MPE) 2023 coronation night on April 29, radiating her passion for green change and sustainable living, which earned her the most coveted crown.
All the way from the waterfall sanctuary of Eastern Laguna, Siniloan, emerged an eco-warrior with a heart as pure as the cascading waterfalls surrounding her. Aduana, a licensed medical laboratory scientist and professional model, stood out among her competitors throughout her MPE journey, championing the call for green change through earth education.
E.A.R.T.H. Education
In her introductory video uploaded by MPE on their YouTube channel last Feb. 26, Aduana enthusiastically shared Environmental Awareness and Action to Restore and Transcend Home (EARTH) Education as her advocacy in joining the pageant.
“It’s truly relevant, especially in this time where care for the environment and care for the people is becoming beyond reach,” Aduana confidently said, wearing her Cinderella flour sack ensemble. “I believe that education is truly the solution, then I will use it as my medium to help fight climate change.”
This cause was solidified with her founding a non-profit organization, Edukasyon for Every Juan PH, driven to promote quality education for all through “commitment, passion, and purpose.”
“Your unselfish acts and undeniable love for Mother Earth and her children has caused a ripple effect through your advocacies and numerous projects,” said the organization in an Instagram post on April 28, wishing Aduana the best of luck for her MPE stint.
Through her advocacy, she has the agency to raise awareness and motivate people to take part in environmental conservation. By sharing her knowledge and passion for protecting the planet through her organization, she can also inspire others to take action and make a positive impact on the environment.
Environmental awareness in Baguio
In relation to Aduana's advocacy, outgoing University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) Environmental Desk Councilor Mar Clarence Quinto said that there is a need to enhance environmental awareness in Baguio and education can play a critical role in achieving this objective.
“There are efforts to increase environmental awareness in the City of Baguio, such as the different forums and programs initiated by the city,” Quinto said in a Messenger chat interview on May 7. “There is still a need to improve efforts to raise awareness considering that the region itself is facing serious environmental issues.”
Environmental education can foster a generation of eco-conscious individuals who are cognizant of their actions and inclined to protect Mother Nature. However, apart from education, Quinto emphasized the importance of encouraging others to join environment-related organizations and campaigns.
“There is still a need to educate people in Baguio City about pertinent issues of the environment as this will be significant in involving more people in our campaigns,” Quinto added. “The environmental movement will be stronger than ever if more people are with us in doing sustainable actions and most importantly calling for environmental justice.”
Focusing on education as her advocacy is a wise decision for Aduana, given the root cause of people's indifference for the environment is often attributed to lack of education. By prioritizing this initiative, she is taking a step towards creating a more educated and responsible society, making her the perfect choice for the MPE crown.
Winning the MPE crown
A photo of Yllana Marie Aduana’s coronation on Miss Philippines Earth 2023 held on April 29.
Photo courtesy of Miss Philippines Earth.
With every step she took, she brought with her a message of inspiration, igniting a fire in the hearts of many to join her in her pursuit of a sustainable and greener future. From the viridescent forests to the bustling cities, Aduana's voice rang loud and clear, reminding us of our responsibility to protect Mother Earth the way she protects us all.
“Our future is the linebackers and the pioneers of environmental ameliorations, and we should always take advantage of it, at all cost,” said Aduana as she ended her winning answer with confidence and a bright smile on her face.
From her top 10 finish last 2021, Aduana’s second attempt at the crown proved to be the charm, priming her position as the new queen of and for the earth. With this title comes a new responsibility, one that she seriously takes as she prepares to represent the Philippines on the international stage.
Aduana’s win marks not just a personal triumph but a victory for the entire environmental movement. As the crown adorns her head, she bears a powerful stance that the fate of our planet rests in nowhere but our hands, and it is up to each one of us to protect it for the generations yet to come.
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