Ecuador's Katherine Elizabeth Espin bested 82 other delegates vying for the Miss Earth 2016 crown and was crowned Miss Earth 2016 by outgoing queen Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong of the Philippines. She is the second woman from Ecuador to capture the crown after Olga Olava, who won the international environmental-themed pageant in 2011.
Ecuador now joins Brazil, Venezuela, and the Philippines among the countries that have won the title multiple times. An early favorite in the pageant, Ecuador also topped the medal tally during the preliminary activities, with five medals, four of which are gold in various events.
This year saw a Latina domination with the four last standing delegates were all from Latin America. Aside from the main crown, the delegate from Colombia Michelle Gomez was crowned Miss Earth-Air 2016 while Venezuela's Stephanie de Zorzi was adjudged as Miss Earth-Water 2016. Brazil's Bruna Zanardo, on the other hand, replicated her predecessor's placement last year and was crowned Miss Earth-Fire 2016.
According to a report from ABS-CBN News Online, Espin is a 23 year-old model and cosmetologist, who joined the beauty contest to forward her advocacy of instilling in young students the importance of taking care of the environment. "I chose this because I believe that the best age to teach a person to have environmental conscience is at an early age because on their growing years they will learn to have respect towards the environment which will help to the future generations," she explained.
"I truly believe that there should exist on every academic curriculum an environmental class and I will work hard on it to make it possible."
The countries which made it to the Top 8 are the following:
The Top 16 countries which made the first cut and competed in Swimsuit and Evening Gown are the following:
This year, the Miss Earth pageant also awarded two special awards. The delegate from Moldova, Tatiana Ovcinicová, won the Best in Eco-Beauty Video award while Wales Charlotte Hitchman won the Miss Eco Warrior award for her efforts to campaign for environmental protection in her native land.
The 16th edition of Miss Earth pageant was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines. Miss Earth is third biggest global beauty pageant and was hailed for its environmental advocacy and annual relevant pre-pageant activities.
