20-year-old Biology student from Brazil won the second Miss Earth crown for her country.

Larissa Ramos bested 79 other contestants from around the world including heavy favorite Miss Philippines during the 9th edition of this meaningful pageant held at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center in Aklan.

Starmometer got 3 out of 4 elements right, Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert indeed won Miss Earth Air, Miss Venezuela Jessica Barboza indeed won Miss Earth Water, and Miss Spain Alejandra Echevarria indeed won Miss Earth Fire. The only thing we missed was the winner, where Starmometer’s bet, Miss USA, did not even make it to the Top 16 which is highly questionable because she was one of the Top 15 in both swimsuit and evening gown preliminaries. And we also believe, Amy Diaz nailed the preliminary interview round based on a video of her which leaves us to the following “conspiracy theories:”

Are we getting even with Miss Universe that’s why we snubbed Amy Diaz‘ chances in the semi-finals of Miss Earth? Miss USA was in every pageant sites’ Top 8 favorite to win Miss Earth but she was bested by the lesser known Miss Singapore in the actual announcement of the 16 semi-finalists. Miss Singapore did not win any in the preliminaries, mind you.

Miss Universe has been snubbing the Philippine candidates for 10 years now, so maybe, we are getting even by snubbing the USA candidates in Miss Earth. This is just a theory, don’t take it seriously.

Another “conspiracy theory” is the assignment of Brazilian beauty queen Priscilla Mereilles (Miss Earth 2004) as chairwoman of the board of judges. Did the people from Carousel Productions gave her a special instruction that Miss Philippines could only go as high as First runner up? Possible right? The organizers might have realized that Sandra Seifert performed better than expected specially when she won both Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown competition, and in the final week she’s a clear stand out to win the competition. And if Sandra wins, it will definitely hurt the reputation of the pageant having crowned half-pinays in the past two years (2007 and 2008) on Philippine soil.

If you were able to watch the pageant last night, Miss Philippines was the runaway winner. She’s the best in swimsuit round and nailed the final question and answer by a mile. In fact, she’s the only one, i repeat, the ONLY ONE, among the 8 finalists who was able to describe the photo (in the final question and answer kind of round) and apply the meaning of the pageant to it. Not even the memorized speech of Miss Venezuela can beat that.

Tempted to say, i told you so, I will say it anyway. I told you so, Sandra can only win 1st runner up, or in Miss Earth term, Miss Earth Air. If only Miss USA was among the 8 finalists, then there should have been two contestants who nailed the final question and answer round as the other 7 finalists have had difficulties expressing their opinions.

Miss Brazil was included in my prediction to be in the Top 16, in fact she’s no. 7 in our fearless forecast. But I never thought that she’d win until host Sarah Meier announced that the chairwoman of the board of judges is Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles, who happens to be a Brazilian. Something’s fishy? You tell me.

I want to make it clear that i’m not in favor of a back-to-back victory for the Philippines in Miss Earth. I’m happy with the results, having predicted 3 out of 4 winners in their proper assignment was like hitting 5 out of 6 numbers in the lottery. And in fairness, Miss Brazil will make a beautiful queen. So let’s just keep my conspiracy theories between us, ok?

Congratulations to Miss Brazil and her court. The beauty of this pageant is that the winner will promote the conservation of our environment so the real winner is no less than our mother earth.

MISS EARTH 2009:
Brazil, Larissa Ramos

MISS AIR 2009:
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert

MISS WATER 2009:
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza

MISS FIRE 2009:
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria

TOP 8

Thailand, Rujinan Phanseethum
Brazil, Larissa Ramos
Poland, Izabela Wilczek
Martinique, Pascale Laurie Nelide
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert
Colombia, Alejandra Castillo Múnera

TOP 16 Semi-finalists
(in order of announcement)

Poland, Izabela Wilczek
Korea, Park Ye-ju
Brazil, Larissa Ramos
Colombia, Alejandra Castillo Múnera
Thailand, Rujinan Phanseethum
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria
Northern Ireland, Kayleigh O’Reilly
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert
South Africa, Chanel Grantham
France, Magalie Audrey Thierry
Georgia, Nonna Diakonidze
Singapore, Valerie Lim
Martinique, Pascale Laurie Nelide
India, Shriya Kishore
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza
Paraguay, Gabriela Mercedes Rejala

Preliminary Awards:

Best in Swimsuit:
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert

Best in Evening Gown:
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert

Best in National Costume:
Tanzania, Evelyne Almasi

Miss Photogenic:
Czech Republic, Tereza Budková

Miss Talent:
Tahiti, Niuriki Teremate

Miss Friendship:
Switzerland, Graziella Rogers

Sponsor Awards:

Best in Eco-Design Wear:
Jamaica, Jennae Dawn Jackson

Best in Eco-Bag Design Wear:
Czech Republic, Tereza Budková

Best in Use of Indigenous Products Wear:
Albania, Suada Saliu

Miss Fontana Resort:
China, Yan Xu

Miss Golden Sunset Resort & Spa:
Cuba, Jamillette Gaxiola

Miss Discovery Suites Award:
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria

Miss Eagle Express:
Korea, Park Ye-ju

Placenta Award:
Puerto Rico, Dignelis Jiménez

Pasigandahan Award:
Guam, Maria Luisa Santos

Miss Gandang Ricky Reyes Award:
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria

Miss Asei:
Korea, Park Ye-ju

Miss Perwoll:
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza

Miss AVSCOR:
Dominican Republic, Mariel Aracelis Garcia

Miss HDR Management:
Poland, Izabela Wilczek

Miss Jubilee Presidents’ Foundation:
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert

VIDEO LINKS:

Miss Earth 2009 – Opening

Miss Earth 2009 – Announcement of the Top 16 Semifinalists

Miss Earth 2009 – Top 16 Swimsuit Competition

Miss Earth 2009 – Top 16 Evening Gown Competition

Announcement of the Top 8

Top 8 Question and Answer Portion

Announcement of the Winners

One day before the coronation night, we present to you our Top 18 fearless forecast for Miss Earth 2009.

Here’s our Top 18 forecast tonight:

1. USA, Amy Diaz
2. Philippines, Sandra Seifert
3. Venezuela, Jessica Barboza
4. Spain, Alejandra Echevarria

5. Cuba, Jamillette Gaxiola
6. Italy, Luna Isabella Voce
7. Brazil, Larissa Ramos
8. Czech Republic, Tereza Budková

9. Thailand, Rujinan Phanseethum
10. Colombia, Alejandra Castillo Múnera
11. India, Shriya Kishore
12. Turks, & Caicos Alison Capron

13. Paraguay, Gabriela Rejala
14. Mexico, Natalia Quiñónez
15. France, Magalie Thierry
16. Guam, Maria Luisa Santos

17. Poland Izabela Wilczek
18. Switzerland Graziella Rogers

10 STRONG ALTERNATES:

Dominican Republic, Mariel Garcia
Hungary, Korinna Kocsis
Latvia Diana, Kubasova
Malaysia, Madeline Nandu
Korea, Park Ye-ju
Puerto Rico, Dignelis Jiménez
Martinique, Pascale Nelide
Canada, Lateesha Ector
Russia, Ksenia Podsevatkina
Pakistan, Ayesha Gilani

Even before she got disqualified in Bb. Pilipinas earlier this year, Sandra Seifert was believed by pageant experts to be the best delegate the country should have ever selected to compete in Miss Universe since Mirriam Quiambao. But destiny took her to the Miss Earth pageant instead.

Three days before Miss Earth crowns the next queen, pageant enthusiasts are wondering if Sandra will deliver a back-to-back victory for the Philippines since Karla Paula Henry, Miss Philippines Earth 2008, is the outgoing Miss Earth queen.

The speculations that Sandra will win Miss Earth 2009 became even stronger when she bagged the two major preliminary awards: Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown. Not to mention that Sandra is very articulate and there’s no doubt that she will nail the question and answer portion come Sunday night.

Our first Proposition: Do You Think Miss Philippines, Sandra Seifert, will Win the Miss Earth crown?

This poll is now closed. Here’s the result after a day:

Our second proposition will be: The organizers should NOT let Sandra Seifert win Miss Earth 2009. Do you agree or disagree? < -- 2nd poll to be opened this afternoon.

After winning the Best in Swimsuit award last Saturday, Philippine bet Sandra Seifert, who was a Bb. Pilipinas outcast, won Best in Evening Gown!

The Evening Gown finals was held last night, November 16, at the PAGCOR Grand Theater in Parañaque City where the host candidate disappointed 79 other beauties from around the world after being announced as the winner.

It looks like the Miss Earth Pageant is on track to duplicate what happened in Miss Universe earlier this year where a back-to-back victory was granted to Venezuela. Venezuela bagged the Miss Universe crown in 2008 and 2009, the first time that a country won twice in 2 consecutive years in the history of the pageant. Philippines won Miss Earth 2008, are we seeing another Miss Earth crown for the country next week?

It’s highly possible since Sandra Seifert, believed by pageant experts to end the country’s Miss Universe drought when she competed in Bb. Pilipinas earlier this year, is a real stunner and epitome of beauty and brains. But when Bb. Pilipinas disqualified her for having posed in FHM, Sandra did not quit on her dream to become a beauty queen. Miss Philippines earth embraced her and now she’s an excellent representative of the country.

But to give the crown to the host candidate for the second year in a row will definitely hurt the Philippine-produced Miss Earth pageant which is currently tagged as the 3rd most prestigious in the world. Sandra might be the fairest among 80 contestants but i believe we should not duplicate the Miss Universe incident. If we do, there’s a big possibility that some countries will boycott the pageant and will no longer participate on next editions.

Just my opinion. A first runner up position for Sandra is enough. We know she’s the best but we have to give way to other equally deserving candidates like USA, Venezuela, Latvia and Spain (my suggestions) because we are the host country.

Image courtesy of OPMB.

The Best in Swimsuit finals was held Saturday night, November 14, at the Fontana Leisure Park and Casino in Pampanga. Sandra Seifert disappointed 14 other finalists for the title which include misses Brazil, Canada, Cuba, France, Colombia, Hungary, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Switzerland, Turks & Caicos, USA and Venezuela.

Here are the Best in Swimsuit winners in Miss Earth from 2001 to 2009:

2001 – Kazakhstan
2002 – Colombia
2003 – France
2004 – Paraguay
2005 – Venezuela
2006 – Venezuela
2007 – Venezuela
2008 – Mexico
2009 – Philippines

80 out of 91 registered contestants remain, vying this year for the Miss Earth title. 10 candidates withdrew earlier while 1 candidate was disqualified because of height restrictions.

The contestants who withdrew from the pageant were:

Bolivia, Noemi Dominique Rosa Peltier De Liotta
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Lejla Adrovic
Croatia, Vinka Groseta
Curacao, Amada Beatrix Hernandez
Ethiopia, Genet Denboba Ogeto
Kazakhstan, Inessa Nazarova
Malawi, Queen Christie Tiembo
Romania, Roxana Ilie
Vietnam, Truong Thi May
Zambia, Esther Sitali Banda

Miss Botswana Tumisang Sebina was disqualified because she was deemed too short for the pageant’s height requirement.

Image courtesy of OPMB.

Here they are:

15 Finalists for Miss Earth 2009 Best in Swimsuit

Brazil, Larissa Ramos
Canada, Lateesha Khamila Ector
Colombia, Alejandra Castillo Múnera
Cuba, Jamillette Gaxiola
France, Magalie Audrey Thierry
Hungary, Korinna Kocsis
Malaysia, Madelyne Nandu
Mexico, Natalia Quiñónes Perez
Paraguay, Gabriela Mercedes Rejala
Philippines, Sandra Inez Seifert
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria
Switzerland, Graziella Rogers
Turks & Caicos, Alison Grace Capron
USA, Amy Diaz
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza

The winner for Best in Swimsuit will be announced tonight at the Fontana Leisure Park & Casino in Pampanga.

15 Finalists for Miss Earth 2009 Best in Evening Gown

Brazil, Larissa Ramos
Colombia, Alejandra Castillo Múnera
Cuba, Jamillette Gaxiola
Guam, Maria Luisa Santos
India, Shriya Kishore
Italy, Luna Isabella Voce
Korea, Park Ye-ju
Mexico, Natalia Quiñónes Perez
Paraguay, Gabriela Mercedes Rejala
Philippines, Sandra Seifert
Poland, Izabela Wilczek
Spain, Alejandra Echevarria
Thailand, Rujinan Phanseethum
USA, Amy Diaz
Venezuela, Jessica Barboza

The winner for Best in Evening Gown will be announced on November 16 at PAGCOR Grand Theater in Parañaque City.

The coronation night of the 9th Miss Earth pageant will take place on November 22, 2009 at the Boracay Ecovillage Convention Center as organized by Carousel Productions & ABS-CBN.

Miss Earth 2009 Schedule of Activities

Major Activities

November 4 (10AM) Press Presentation:
Valle Verde 6, Pasig City

November 4 (4PM) National Costume Competition:
Amazing Philippines Theater, Manila

November 14 (7PM) Final Swimsuit Competition:
Fontana Leisure Park & Casino, Pampanga

November 16 (7PM) Final Evening Gown Competition:
PAGCOR Grand Theater, Parañaque

November 17 (7PM) Final Talent Competition:
Coron, Palawan

November 22 (7PM) Grand Coronation Night:
Boracay Ecovillage Resort & Convention Center

Robinsons Mall Tour & Fashion Show

November 6 (4PM) Robinsons Place Dasmariñas
November 7 (4PM) Robinsons Nova Market
November 8 (4PM) Robinsons Place Metroeast
November 13 (4PM) Robinsons Galleria
November 14 (4PM) Robinsons Starmills, Pampanga

Preliminary Events

Nov. 7 GROUP 1 Pre-Swimsuit Competition:
Golden Sunset Resort & Spa Calatagan, Batangas

Nov. 8 GROUP 3 Pre-Swimsuit Competition:
Central Country Estate, Inc. The Lakeshore

Nov. 12 GROUP 2 Pre-Swimsuit Competition:
Legazpi, Bicol

Nov. 9 GROUP 1 Pre-Talent Competition:
Amana Water Park Resort, Pandi, Bulacan

Nov. 9 GROUP 3 Pre-Talent competition:
Bacolod

Nov. 10 GROUP 2 Pre-Talent competition:
Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Nov. 7 GROUP 3 Pre-Evening Gown Competition:
Subic

Nov. 8 GROUP 1 Pre-Evening Gown Competition:
Splash Mountain Resort Hotel, Los Baños Laguna

Nov. 9 GROUP 2 Pre-Evening Gown Competition:
Greenbelt 5, Ayala