TRANSCRIPT: Miss Philippines Earth Q and A segment

MANILA, Philippines – Miss Philippines Earth 2019 held the pageant’s coronation night on Wednesday afternoon, July 10, at The Cove, Okada Manila.

During the much-awaited Q and A segment, the Top 5 finalists to shared their thoughts on eco-friendly strategies, in hopes of becoming Mother Nature’s Philippine ambassador for this year.

Each candidate answered the same question: “Which do you think is a better strategy to encourage people to be environmentally conscious – give incentives for good environmental practice or penalize bad eco-habits? Why?”

Karen Nicole Piccio – Maasin, Iloilo

“I think the best way would be through positive reinforcement. I would go for giving incentives to those who practice good habits in helping save our environment. That is all. Thank you.”

Alexandra Marie Dayrit – Marikina City

“As a health advocate working in the fitness industry, I believe that good health starts from a healthy environment. This is why I would prefer to incentivize, being eco-friendly and doing environmentally-friendly practices, because I believe that this would encourage people to be good to the environment instead of just trying to penalize them for harming the environment. As a personal trainer, I believe that having a positive approach is better.”

Chelsea Fernandez – Tacloban City

“I go to Paraiso Mangrove Eco Learning Park, Marine and Wildlife Sanctuary very often to know and learn more about mangroves. Mangroves are actually my advocacy. The best way to encourage people is to actually be a good example. Be that strong example. I know people will follow the good things you are doing. Thank you so much.”

Janelle Lazo Tee – Pasig City 

“I would choose to give incentives, because as a productive country, we know that we have a lot of communities that truly need help in terms of livelihood projects, which is what I’ve been doing with ABS-CBN Foundation. That’s why I want to choose incentives because we have to teach them how to fish, rather than just give them fish for the day. If you teach them how to fish, then it will be there for a living. It will be there sustainably in them. Thank you.”

Ana Monica Tan – Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental 

“I believe that we should penalize bad eco-habits, because ladies and gentlemen, what is important is that we discipline ourselves as Filipinos, as human beings, where we live on Mother Earth. Mother Earth provides us with everything we need to sustain life, and all she ever asks from us is protection. As one united Philippines, we can make a better nation a happier Mother Earth. Thank you.”

– Rappler.com