In a coronation night that was ultimately decided only on the answers given during the final Q&A, Karen Ibasco of Manila floored everyone at the Mall of Asia Arena and walked away with the Miss Philippines Earth 2017 title. She will now represent the country in Miss Earth 2017 to be held in the same venue on November 4.

During the Top 5 Q&A, the question revolved around the Duterte Administration’s “Change is Coming” tagline and what kind of environmental change can be effected in the process. Karen, assisted immensely by her background in exact sciences, gave a very specific reply that pointed to the passing of a carbon tax as the best measure she can stand for in the fight to protect the environment. She effectively nosed out the strongest favorite Kim de Guzman of Olongapo City who settled with Miss Philippines Air.

Jessica Marasigan of Caloocan City was named Miss Philippines Water, with audience darling Nelzza Bautista of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental getting Miss Philippines Fire. Vanessa Mae Castillo of Lobo, Batangas was adjudged Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism and completed the elemental court.

The program started with the Top 15 for each of the publicly-held preliminary judging phases announced in a segment that proved too long for the audience inside the Arena. But after that was done, the jump to Top 10, Top 5 and announcement of winners came swift.

Congratulations to Karen Ibasco, our Miss Philippines Earth 2017!

Karen Ibasco (center) and her elemental court