Around 80 contestants are expected to participate in this year’s edition of Miss Earth. Some contestants from South Africa have already arrived in Manila prior to the main events happening in November, Media Update reported.

Miss Earth is one of the most prestigious pageants in the world along with Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss World. It is a competition that has an advocacy for the preservation of the environment.

Every year, pageant organizers unveil a theme that showcases the mission and vision of Miss Earth Foundation. This year, the candidates are asked to present their costume and platform inspired by the theme called “Heroines Fighting Climate Change.” “Environmental heroines all over the Earth have been selected and summoned to battle the forces of evil that plot to harm our Mother Nature,” the official teaser video stated.

“But only the greatest heroine will be chosen to be the ultimate Earth warrior.”

Some of the most notable costumes belong to the delegates from Thailand, Nigeria, Belarus, Spain, Bahamas, Switzerland and Hungary. For instance, Thailand’s heroine character is called “Woman of Poseidon, the protector of the sea and other bodies of water.”

For a cause

The 2017 edition of the beauty contest will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines. This is the same venue and stage that hosted the Miss Universe 2016 pageant.

The contestants recently attended environmental seminars with some of the non-profit organizations that combat environmental degradation. These groups were Oceana Philippines and The Plastic Solution.

The seminars were held at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines. Some of the girls also participated in a clean-up drive at the Manila Bay. They are also set to participate in school tours, swimsuit competitions, long gown shows, and media presentations in the following weeks.

Winner predictions

Prior to the coronation night, some pageant experts have already revealed their predictions on the winner and finalists in the competition.

Thailand’s representative Paweensuda Drouin has been predicted as the winner, blogger and pageant enthusiast Edgar Boyet noted.

The other finalists include Ninoska Vasquez of Venezuela, Diana Mironenko of Ukraine, Andreia Gibeau from the USA, Lessie Giler from Ecuador, Juliana Franco from Colombia and Karla Aponte from Puerto Rico. Also in the list are delegates from Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Ecuador’s Katherine Espin who was crowned Miss Earth 2016 will pass on the duties to the new winner. The event will be held on November 4 and will be broadcast on various channels across the world.