Beauty: Miss Earth 2007 | Manila

Ok someone kill me.

The recently concluded Miss Earth 2007 was a spectacle, but not quite the sort the organizers, Carousel Productions and broadcast network ABS CBN, was hoping for.

Never heard of Miss Earth or the organizers?  That is because they are literally the poorer cousins of the more acclaimed staples in the pageant calenders, Miss Universe and Miss World.

Also, the performance base of the pageant is in Manila, the Philippines.

The premise of the pageant is similar to that of the others.  In an global environment where climate change is a major concern, the issue of self preservation has become trendy.  With MIss Earth, just as Miss World goes by the mantra of Beauty with a Purpose, theirs simply covers the all inclusive objective of saving the planet.

At least that is what the opening number of the 2007 competition would like us to believe.  In what is considered the obligatory stage introductions of pageant contestants to the viewing public and judges, the girls were choreographed to come out wearing yellow plastic tents with slogans like "Use Less Energy" emblazoned on the front.  In seconds, the tents come off to reveal skin tight, skin baring outfits.

Let's see.  Was the plastic used Grade 3?

But looking into the issue at hand more thoroughly, it is ironic that the pageant is a production initiated by the Filipinos.  Why?  It is common knowledge among environmentalists that the Philippines possess such rich eco-diversity. However, it is also well known that they are also guilty of the crime of being the largest destroyer of coral reefs.  Largely due to fishing technique of bombing the seas, as well as the culling of coral for tourism, the Filipino government has hardly implemented any legislation to protect the reefs, which are in serious danger of being wiped out.

Also, Manila is also famous for traffic woes and environmental pollution.  There are no laws to regulate the use of diesel and people use whatever is cheapest, even if it coughs up choking fumes.  Any visitor to the city will also attest that the rivers and sidewalks that snake around it are usually clogged with garbage.   Speaking of which, the infamous Smokey Mountain is something unique to the Philippines.  Basically a mountain of waste and garbage, people make a living by picking up whatever they can to sell from things other people throw away.  The government has tried to stop this form of 'recycling' by attempting to clear the landfills, but the efforts have failed.  It might useful to note that the landfills are ironically located close to the homes of some of the wealthiest Filipinos.

If that isn't bad enough, the production of the pageant itself is quite the joke.  The girls were brought to island locations to show off the tourism (and sponsors) of the country.  However, no mention had been made in terms of efforts to protect these islands from succumbing to de-forestation and development.

The offenses were perpetuated throughout the show.  So much for saving energy, the amount of lights in the show could have lit up a whole village in India.  If the show is about protection, one can question about the organizer's respect for the protection of intellectual property.  The opening song, Real Girl from Mutya and Umbrella from Rihanna were used, remixed.  Now, let me tell you from a position of knowing: unless ABS CBN paid for the rights to use and remix the music, that is actually illegal.  Of course the Philippines is also a major offender when it comes to IP issues.  Finding pirated and illegal copies of first run movies are common place even on street corners.

And how about the judges!  Most in the panel of judges had no real relevance to environmental protection nor, at the very least, beauty.  They included an architect, a guy who runs spas, the regional manager of Korean Air, and the general manager of a hotel, and worse still, the head guy of the Filipino organization that regulates gambling.

Miss Earth, beyond the obvious exploitation of a fashionable subject matter, seems to be a product of corporate business more than of altruism.  And even though the fact that it is Asian organized with the main hosts being Asian, that pride is overshadowed by the farce that is has implicated upon itself.

I guess the final word comes from the market.  Unlike the other pageants with a strong broadcast distribution, the main outlet for Miss Earth is regional cable player, Star World.  So that means only certain countries in Asia and the Middle East will get to view it.

All I can say is, phew.  I think if it was shown in socially conscious Europe, there would be an uproar!

Miss Earth:  get buried in the ground already!