Miss Earth has uncharitably been called the paralympics of Miss Universe. In its News section, Global Beauties even unethically editorialized on what it perceived as Miss Earth’s lack in “class A beauties.” The observation might have been acceptable in an opinion piece, but it definitely has no place in a so-called newsroom.

At the end of the day, however, we must reflect if these comments are grounded in reality.

It might be argued that the quality (in terms of what is generally agreed upon as “physical beauty”) of delegates in ME 02 and 03 was better. I, for one, am inclined to agree.

However, the quality of delegates in each pageant varies from year to year. For example, many were disappointed by the overall quality of delegates in MU 03, especially after having experienced the mind-blowing quality of the girls in MU 02. It has happened in Miss World, too, the number of delegates notwithstanding. I can confidently say that the much fewer girls in MW 01 were of a much higher class, as a whole, than the 120 girls in MW 03. Miss International, on the other hand, seems to be on a glorious upswing this year, buoyed by four names that need no further introduction: Natascha, Marta and Graziella.

Even a batch that is perceived as that of a lower quality, however, does not impede a pageant’s selection of a gorgeous and rightful winner. For all the complaints we heard about MU 03, the pageant came out with one of its most memorable winners to date: the sensual, vivacious and haughty enfant terrible herself, Amelita. Nobody can ever rightfully dispute the young Dominican’s claim to the title.

Fact: the quality of delegates in each pageant varies from year to year. It is should not be the singular peg of the health of a pageant, especially since beauty is always subjective. Consistency in vision, promotion and production are the more accurate and quantifiable indicators of the direction a pageant is taking.

Liesel, Yanina and Muriel. Karolina, Arwa and Priscila. Jyoti, Marifely and Tamera. And so on and so forth…

At first, I had my fears, too, that this year’s batch is going to be quite a letdown. But the more I look at the girls in ME 04, the more I get excited. For those who can not see the girls personally and up close, the Press Presentation pictures are definitely a sight to behold. My fears were immediately allayed. I saw young, fresh, sexy women. Beautiful women. VERY beautiful women. Fun-loving, confident and happy.

Suffice it to say that the criteria in selecting Miss Earth is distinct. Miss Universe has to have a combination of beauty and personality. These days, to be Miss World, a girl has to be beautiful and popular. To be Miss International, one only has to be insanely beautiful and tall. Miss Earth, on the other hand, must have both beauty and commitment to the environment. Winnie and Dania often undertook projects that would never be, in a hundred years, classified as glamorous. Miss Earth is more than just a nominal title. Dzejla learned that more than a year ago. Miss Earth must be a worker and an activist.

I have no doubt that, once again, the rightful winner will be crowned this year.

Miss Egypt Arwa Gouda & Miss Philippines Tamera Szijarto

Having said that, this year’s edition of Miss Earth is shaping up to be quite a spectacle.

An ME superpower has emerged, and surprise, surprise, it is not the Philippines. With two first runner-up finishes in the last three years, Brazil is the single strongest force in Miss Earth. The Beauty Brazil organization has been consistent in sending representatives who are not only beautiful and sexy, but can also answer the hell out of any question about the environment. It does not hurt, of course, that the girls from Brazil are always impeccably dressed for any occasion, and can command the ramp as a seasoned pilot would an airport runway.

Priscila Meirelles is no different. This year, she is the one to beat. My favorite for the Miss Brazil-Universe crown, I am happy that Priscila is in the Philippines, bringing with her the irresistible allure of the amazons. Priscila, thus far, has been the most consistent performer of all the delegates.

A close second is Paraguay’s Yanina, who would otherwise be on top, except for two mistakes: she dyed her hair dark blonde, and she made the politically incorrect move of wearing an animal print swimsuit for the Press Presentation! It must be remembered that Miss Earth deals with animal rights and protection, too.

Peru’s Liesel Holler, on the other hand, sports a much tamer look than she did at MU some months back. With much less make-up and with a more subdued projection, Liesel is in a strong position to equal or even surpass the showing of compatriot Claudia Ortiz de Zevallos in 2002.

Another strong favorite is Tahiti’s Stephanie Lesage, who has every right and ability to duplicate Vairupe Huiotu’s strong showing last year. Stephanie’s grace, charm and elegance have been noted by ardent pageant observers.

The pictures speak for themselves. Arwa is every inch an Egyptian princess. The woman obviously knows what she is doing. If this were a modeling competition, she would score aces all throughout. Now, let’s just hope that she has the requisite commitment to Miss Earth’s activities, which will then surely bring her to the endgame.

Supported by a national organization that is considered by many as one of the best in the world, T&T’s Leah Marie Guevara is leading the black girls this year. With her height, svelte figure, runway skills and killer wardrobe (not to mention her always-exciting hairstyles), Leah Marie is poised to leave T&T’s indelible mark on Miss Earth, as well.

With sex appeal coming out of her ears, Miss Bolivia is a familiar face to pageant fans. Muriel has the face of an angel and the body of a temptress. This lady, no doubt, is seasoned by time, exposure and experience. She knows the game in and out. At the very least, she might win a consecutive photogenic award for Bolivia. At best, she might make up for the heartbreak of Claudia Azaeda’s exclusion from last year’s semifinals.

Steaming hot from her Best in Evening Gown win, Thailand’s Radchadawan Nakprasert is the strongest delegate to emerge from this Southeast Asian kingdom in many years. Beautiful, sexy, confident and outgoing, she is a personification of the spirit of Sawasdee.

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Maria Luisa Barrios of Ecuador peers through panel dividers as other beauty contestants are presented to the media for the Miss Earth 2004 pageant at a posh hotel in the financial district of Makati, east of Manila, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004. Forty-eight beauties were presented to the press but 70 beauties from all over the world have confirmed their participation for this unique pageant, whose main theme is taking care of the environment. The reigning Miss Earth is Dania Prince of Honduras and she will relinquish her throne come Oct. 24.

A big surprise was the petite and sultry beauty from Canada, Tanya Munizaga. Her National Costume presentation (an intricately quilted ensemble that represented Canada’s amazing cultural mosaic) was simply breathtaking. She was sensational during the Press Presentation in a fire engine red two-piece, and even more so in the EG competition, clad in a classic canary column.

Karolina Gorazda has one of the most beautiful faces and one of the sexiest bodies in competition this year. Another strong representative from Poland, Karolina bears a girlish countenance, in contrast to Marta’s vampy stylings. It looks like 2004 is Poland’s banner year, with strong delegates in both ME and MI.

India’s Jyoti, along with Sayali, were my big favorites in FMI this year. It made me endlessly joyful when Sayali was bumped up to compete in MW and Jyoti was given the ME assignment. Jyoti has every means to crack the semifinals. I only wish, though, that she would step up the charm so that she could gain a little bit more media mileage! She is in danger of becoming a wallflower, like Reshmi two years ago! Nevertheless, my hopes are high for Jyoti. She has great skin and is naturally beautiful, even without make-up.

Filipino-Hungarian Tamera Szijarto was only my second choice to represent the Philippines in ME (my big favorite was Filipino-Italian Nadia Camolli), but she is showing that, thus far, she is the country’s best and most deserving delegate to ME. Beautiful, tall, articulate and gracious, she is the perfect hostess. A semifinal slot is almost assured for this hometown girl, and it will be a slot well-deserved.

My other favorites are Nicaragua’s Marifely, Ecuador’s Luisa, and Chile’s Erika, who look like they could be your sister’s best friends. Their unaffected friendliness and sunshiny disposition make them my sentimental favorites.

There are about a dozen other girls who could pull upsets, as well as many others who could pull the kind of where-did-she-come-from?? showing that has come to be expected only from Miss Earth.

In any case, this year’s pageant looks promising, and I will be here to loudly proclaim my views, long as enough time exists for me to write. Hehehe! Cheerio!