
Announcement and Crowning of Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell in progressive images as taken by Bruce Casanova
But there lies the answer to the pageant intrigues started online. This is a competition where only one person takes the #1 spot, a few others divide the remaining pieces of the bounty and all the remaining contenders console themselves with the fact that they gave their 100% but could only do so much to get a finals night appreciation from the judges.

Elemental Queens All (left to right): Maira Alexandra Rodriguez, Water; Jamie Herrell, Earth; Andrea Neu, Air and Anastasia Krysova, Fire (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova)
Outside the country sashes worn by the ladies, each one of them are unique individuals with only one thing in mind. And to say that Miss Philippines should have not won in her own backyard is just like pointing out that Olivia Culpo did not deserve her Miss Universe victory last 2012 or that the Miss International 2012 finals was rigged in favor of Ikumi Yoshimatsu. While saying that another lady was the rightful winner in their respective, anyone can crow to the top of his/her lungs and oppose the results, but nothing more can be done to change what has already been announced and judged upon.
Sure, I was rooting for Miss USA Andrea Neu to nail her first country’s first Miss Earth crown after a softly convincing turn in her Q&A, but Jamie Herrell was also stamping her equally determined self from beginning to end. Her final answer may soon be a forgotten reply that might not translate into action in the next 365 days, but it cannot be denied that she owned up to all her shining moments onstage.
The judges can take recommendations from the organizers, but it’s all that – recommendations open to conformity or otherwise. In the end, the girl who registers the best overall performance got to be voted upon and declared as winner – regardless of the country she represents.
I am not playing naive here. It’s my good old self learning to accept pageant realities, just like moving on after a boxing match that is being buzzed about as unfairly scored or Janine Tugonon consoling herself with a 1st Runner-Up placement when she could have easily won our third Miss Universe crown in Vegas almost two years ago.
The bashings will die a natural death soon enough. And next year will promise to be a whole new chapter for new ladies who will vie for the next edition. đ