MISS EARTH 2006 HIL HERNANDEZ IS BACK IN MANILA
The reigning Miss Earth Hil Yesenia Hernandez of Chile arrived in Manila today, April 22 for a three-week visit to the country. A festive lunch at Pantalan Restaurant heralded her arrival where the 23 delegates of Miss Philippines Earth 2007 and Carousel Productions officials welcomed her.
Hil flew in from Singapore where she was one of the hosts in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth Award Ceremony. The UNEP Champion of the Earth is an annual event where individuals who made significant contributions in propagating awareness on various environmental issues are given recognition for their selfless contributions. This is the second year that a reigning Miss Earth was invited to grace the event. Former DENR Secretary Elisea Gozun was one of the recipients of the UNEP Champions of the Earth Award for 2007.
Hil will be one of the board of judges in the coming Miss Philippines Earth pageant where the winner will represent the country in the Miss Earth 2007 in October. The grand coronation night will be on Sunday, April 29, at the UP Theatre and will be telecast live on ABS CBN at 9:30 pm.
"I am very happy to be back in the Philippines," she
says. "The Philippines is like a second home to me and I have fond memories of Manila. I also feel so fortunate to be part of this year’s search for Miss Philippines Earth as one of the members of the panel of judges. I hope the winner will do well in the Miss Earth pageant later this year."
Text from Carousel Productions
The 22nd day of April, Earth Day; proved to be a long day, not only for the 23 delegates of the Ms Phillipnes Earth Pageant, but for reigning Miss Earth Hil Yesenia Hernandez Escobar. She just hosted the United Nations
Environmental Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth Award Ceremony in Singapore.
The lovely Chilean stunner arrived in Manila a little before lunch and was feted with a warm welcome at the Pantalan Restaurant in Manila. Patrons of the restaurant spent the whole time admiring her beautiful features. Even little kids went up to her to have their picture taken with the earth's environmental warrior.
The twenty three delegates arrived after their guesting in ASAP and all the girls were so happy to see Hil. After pictorials they were hurriedly transported to Robinson's Manila for the Ms Philippines fashion show and the final Lil Earth Angel preliminary. A blood letting event was also ongoing during the said event. The colorful event lasted for three hours and it was indeed surprising to see all of them still energized.
A fitting open air dinner was feted for the ladies and Hil by Mambo Cafe Bar and Restaurant, located at the lobby of Ramon Magsaysay Centre (infront of Diamond Hotel). It is the only restaurant in the bay walk area that offers the most affordable quality meals! The ladies were treated with mouth watering Australian beefsteak !
Incidentally, Miguel Mendoza III, Philippine Idol's "bunso" was present during the event and gave the ladies more reason to smile despite a very hectic day!
Felix Manuel and Noli Berosio
The gala event was hosted by UNEP, Ms Hil Hernandez Escobar of Chile, the international Miss Earth 2006, the Singapore Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) with the support of various sponsors and partners including Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings (APRIL).
Pictured are event sponsors with the 2007 Champions of the Earth (from right to left) Miss Earth International, Ms. Hil Hernandez Escobar; Dr. Pal Schmitt, International Olympic Committee representing Mr. Jacques Rogge (Champion of the Earth, Special Award); Ms. Maria Bohn, daughter of Mrs. Viveka Bohn (Champion of the Earth, Europe); Mr. Andre Tanoto, RGMI (parent company of APRIL); Mr. David Graham, The Dow Chemical Company; His Excellency Mr. Cherif Rahmani, Minister of Environment, Algeria (Champion of the Earth, Africa); Mr. AJ Devanesan, President and COO, APRIL; Mr. Achim Steiner, UNEP; Mr. James Mcilvenny, The Dow Chemical Company; Mr. Ser Miang Ng, International Olympic Committee (Singapore representative); Ms. Elisea "Bebet" Gillera Gozun (Champion of the Earth, Asia Pacific); Miss Earth Singapore, Ms. Shn Juay Shi Yun; Mr. Martin Goetzeler, President & CEO, OSRAM
To see more pictures of Hil at the United Nation's event in Singapore, Here's the link:
http://www.unep.org/champions/PhotoGallery/ 
