2011 Miss Philippines Earth could be Aurora governor

Ms. Athena Mae Imperial, Miss Earth Philippines 2011.

CASIGURAN, Aurora, June 8, 2011-Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo lauded Miss Philippines Earth 2011 Athena Imperial who won the prestigious title during the two-hour pageant at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum, Sunday.

“From Miss Philippines-Earth to Aurora Governor Imperial,” Angara-Castillo said, expressing that    she was impressed with Imperial’s gift of gab and of being smart.

Imperial, who hails from this town, was feted by Angara-Castillo who led a small group of Aurorans in cheering for their bet, who also placed as a semifinalist     during the 2009 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant held in Baler. She is a Communication Research graduate of the University of the Philippines.

Angara-Castillo said that Imperial has the gut and feels that the hometown heroine will make a good politician someday, and even follow her footsteps.

“Every time I heard her speak, I tell myself that one day she will become governor of Aurora,” Angara-Castillo said of Imperial where she immediately offered Imperial a job in the provincial Capitol, adding that someday, the latter will make good as a political leader.

“Imperial’s victory is another feather in the cap of the province as this will also promote tourism and environmental awareness as Miss Earth winners are considered ambassadors of nature,” the lady governor said.

Imperial, who works as researcher for GMA News TV, bested nine other finalists in the pageant for the right to represent the country in the Miss Earth pageant set this November in Thailand. The pageant promotes environmental protection.

The crowds were impressed when she rejected the use of nuclear energy for the country. She said there are other more viable sources of energy such as hydroelectric, solar and wind which are safer than nuclear.

Meanwhile, a dance party is being planned in this town to celebrate Imperial’s victory in its town fiesta on June 12 and 13 says Angara-Castillo. (Jason de Asis)