Reigning Miss Philippines Earth Janelle Tee shows off her locally-made jacket adorned with the colors of the Philippine flag, and Sampaguita flower pailettes./ARMIN P. ADINA

MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES—As the world celebrates Mother’s Day, two queens whose advocacy is environmental awareness made an appeal: Honor Mother Earth.

“Mother’s Day should be celebrated everyday for all the mothers of our life, and Mother Earth is a part of it,” reigning Miss Philippines Earth Janelle Tee told the Inquirer.

“Mother Earth provides us everything we need. Most especially during this pandemic, she provides for us the fresh air to breathe, and cleans it by the tress she grows,” she added.

Karen Ibasco, the fourth Filipino woman to be crowned Miss Earth, shared Tee’s sentiments.

“We are dependent on nature. Not only is this planet our home, but humanity will not survive without her,” said Ibasco, who bested 84 other international delegates for the Miss Earth title in 2017.

The medical physicist also said the planet cares for the people the same way a mother showers love for her children.

Tee added: “Mother Earth loves us unconditionally. If we truly take care of her, she can provide for us abundantly.”

Ibasco’s and Tee’s titles come with the responsibility of pushing environmental programs and promoting campaigns that aim to protect the planet.

And to make Mother’s Day celebrations more environmentally-friendly, Tee asked the people to prepare locally produced food, or grow their own vegetables and fruits.

“At a time when everything is uncertain, most especially because it is very risky for everyone to go out, have your own supply at home,” she continued.

2017 Miss Earth Karen Ibasco/ARMIN P. ADINA

Ibasco added: “Refrain from using single-use plastic when ordering food, and conserve water and energy while staying at home.”

Tee will relinquish her title to her successor, who will be determined through a “virtual competition” on May 24 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, pageant organizer Carousel Productions said in a statement posted online.

Carousel Production Executive Vice President Lorraine Schuck also said “the pageant is holding a series of Facebook forums featuring current titleholders and delegates on environmental issues and their uses to fight COVID-19.”