Angelia Ong

Angelia Gabrena Ong (born June 27, 1990) is a Filipino model and beauty queen, who was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2015 and was later crowned as Miss Earth 2015.

Angelia Ong
Angelia Ong, Miss Earth 2015.
Born	Angelia Gabrena Ong (1990-06-27) June 27, 1990 Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
Home town	Iloilo, Philippines
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 7 ^1⁄2 in)
Title	Miss Philippines Earth 2015 Miss Earth 2015
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair color	Black
Eye color	Dark Brown
Major competition(s)	Binibining Pilipinas 2011 (Unplaced) Miss Philippines Earth 2015 (Winner) Miss Earth 2015 (Winner)

Early life and education

Ong was born on June 27, 1990, in the Lapuz railway district in Iloilo City where she finished her primary and secondary education. She studied a few years at St. Paul University Iloilo for her early college education taking up Mass Communications. She finished secondary education at Hua Siong College (formerly Iloilo Central Commercial High School or ICCHS). [1] She moved to Manila in 2011 and pursued her college education taking up Marketing Management at the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde where she finished and graduated in 2016.[1][2]

Accolades and commendations

Office of the Philippine President

On December 14, 2015, the Office of the President of the Philippines commended Ong through Philippine Secretary of Presidential Communications and Operations Herminio Coloma for winning the Miss Earth 2015 title and giving the Philippines its first back-to-back win.[3][4][5]

Senate of the Philippines

On December 14, 2015, the Senate of the Philippines through the Philippine Senate Resolution Number 1681 authored by Senator Manuel Lapid commended Ong for honoring the Philippines in her victory in the Miss Earth 2015 pageant. The Resolution indicated that "Ong made history as she succeeded another Filipina beauty queen, a first in the pageant's 15-year history and the third Filipina to bag the prestigious crown with Jamie Herrell as her predecessor and Karla Henry winning the crown in 2008, making the Philippines the only country with a three-crown record."[6]

House of Representatives of the Philippines

The Lower House of the Philippines Congress, House of Representatives of the Philippines through the House Resolution Number 2561 which was authored by Congressman Leopoldo N. Bataoil commended Ong for her victory in the Miss Earth 2015 pageant.[7][8] The House Resolution stated that "Ong's achievement brought pride to the Filipino people and will serve as an inspiration to young Filipino women, as well and remind the country of its responsibilities to the environment."[7][9]

Empowered Men and Women of the Year 2017

In December 2017, Ong was one of the awardees of Philippine Empowered Men and Women of the Year 2017 held at the Teatrino Prominade in San Juan, Metro Manila for her inspiring life story and her will to serve other people and communities.[10][11][12]

Pageantry

Prior to Miss Earth

Ong competed and finished Second Runner-Up at the Miss Manila 2014 pageant and won Best in Long Gown and Press Choice Award.[13][14]

She competed at the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 pageant, representing Iloilo City, and she received the People's Choice Special Award as the "Face of Binibining Pilipinas 2011."[15]

Miss Philippines Earth 2015

Ong participated and won in the Miss Philippines Earth 2015 on May 31, 2015, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and earned the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Earth 2015 pageant.[16]

She expressed support for same-sex marriage rights during a question-and-answer portion of 2015 pageant:[17][18]

I think it really depends on the person, if he or she believes in [same-]sex marriage but, as for me, if the person feels that he or she needs to be married to show his or her love, then I don’t mind having [same-]sex marriage. If you feel that that is love, then so be it.

She bested 37 other hopefuls from across the Philippines and was crowned by Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell. As Miss Philippines Earth, her advocacy is focused on restoration, reforestation, and minimizing carbon footprint through ecotourism.[19]

Miss Earth 2015

Ong represented the Philippines and won in the Miss Earth 2015 pageant held at Marx Halle, Vienna, Austria. The coronation night occurred on December 5, 2015. During the pre-pageant activities, Angelia won a silver medal for the Miss Friendship award and a bronze medal for the evening gown competition.

During the Top-8 round of question and answer, Angelia was asked what would be Miss Earth's slogan for the next fifteen years. She replied:[20]

We will, because we can. I want to let everybody know that all things are possible, and all things are feasible, if we work together. We will, because we can.

During the announcement of winners, Angelia was crowned by her predecessor Jamie Herrell, also from the Philippines. Angelia was the first to win back-to-back for her country in Miss Earth.[21][22]

During her reign, she has traveled Reunion Island, Vietnam, the United States, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, China, Singapore, and numerous trips in the Philippines.

Media and environmental activism

During her early teen years, she was a co-host of the now-defunct GMA Network–Iloilo local Sunday variety show, Bongga from 2004 to 2006.

On December 19, 2015, Ong joined environmental group Ecowaste Coalition and launched the “Iwas-Paputoxic” campaign and urged the people, especially youth, to welcome the 2016 New Year using safe and non-toxic materials.[23][24]

She hosted the opening ceremony of the Asia–Pacific Forestry Week 2016 aimed at promoting sustainable forest management on February 23, 2016, which was organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Asia–Pacific Forestry Commission, and the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources.[25]

Ong led ten other beauty queens in launching a project of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, dubbed as “Race to One Million Seedlings”, held in Camp Aguinaldo. The project aims to grow and plant one million tree seedlings across Metro Manila, as part of the National Greening Program, which seeks to increase forest cover in Metro Manila and adjacent regions.[26][27]

Together with Philippine Senator Cynthia Villar, Ong led the Earth Day celebration in the Philippines on April 22, 2016, at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), a wetland situated south of Manila Bay.[28] As an ambassador for environmental protection campaigns in the Philippines, she joined a coastal cleaning effort on the coast of Freedom Island.[29] She also participated with other women in a hand-painting exercise to raise awareness and develop a sense of public responsibility pertaining to environmentally sustainable practices on Earth Day.[30][31]

Ong completed the Climate Reality Leadership Corps training under US Vice President Al Gore, founder and chairman of the Climate Change Reality Project, for her pursuance of effective platform to create environmental awareness on climate change.[32][33][34][35]

Ong travelled to Reunion Islands and crowned Elsa Techer as Miss Earth Reunion Islands 2016 at the culmination of the gala night on May 7, 2016, in Reunion Islands.[36][37] During the Philippines Independence Day on June 12, 2016, she talked about her advocacy to fight climate change.[38] On July 28, 2016, Ong went to the United States to attend the coronation of Miss Earth United States 2016 pageant.[39]

She went to Armenia, Colombia, on August 11, 2016, together with Btittany Ann Payne Miss Earth Water 2016, to crown the winner of Miss Earth Colombia 2016.[40] She also joined the Miss Earth Colombia 2016 candidates for the Todos Ponemos program to promote sustainable development, preservation of natural resources, and "the three Rs": reduce, reuse, recycle.[41]

Ong arrived in Sri Lanka on August 26, 2016, with the invitation by TV Derana. There she crowned the winner Derana Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Earth 2016 on August 31, 2016, at Citrus, Waskaduwa.[42][43] In Sri Lanka, she engaged in numerous environmental projects, including the launching of “Manusath Derana Nature Force’ project, an initiative to plant one million trees in the country where 300 sandalwood plants were initially planted.[42][44] She was accompanied by Brittany Ann Payne, Miss Earth Water 2016.[42][44]

In April 2017, Ong and Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espín flew to Angola for the Earth Day 2017 and for the crowning of Miss Earth Angola 2017 and also graced a tree planting activity together with Fundacao Verde with the support of the Government of Angola and the Ministerio do Ambiente.[45][46][47]

References

1. De los Santos, Maricyn A. (December 7, 2015). "Ilonga Beauty Rules World: Angelia Ong crowned Miss Earth '15". The Daily Guardian. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
2. Avery Thompson (December 6, 2015). "Miss Earth 2015: 5 Things To Know About Angelia Ong". Hollywoodlife.com.
3. Coloma Jr., Herminio (December 7, 2015). "Palace congratulates Angelia Ong for winning Miss Earth 2015 title". Office of the President of the Philippines. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
4. Perez, Sophia (December 6, 2015). "Palace lauds Angelia Ong for winning Miss Earth title". News Central Philippines. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
5. News, Online (December 6, 2015). "Palace congratulates Angelia Ong for winning Miss Earth 2015 title". Manila Bulletin. Philippines News Agency. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
6. Lapid, Manuel (December 14, 2015). "Resolution congratulating and commending Angelia Gabrena Paglicawan Ong for honoring the philippines with the prestigious Miss Earth 2015 title on 5 December 2015 at the Marx Halle in Vienna, Austria" (PDF). Senate of the Philippines. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
7. Bundang, Rowena B. (January 2, 2016). "Solon commends RP bet Angelia Ong for winning Miss Earth 2015". House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
8. Cano, Aries (January 3, 2016). "PH pride na Miss Earth 2015, pararangalan (PH pride Miss Earth 2015 to honor)". Abante. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
9. News, Philippine Congress (January 3, 2006). "Solon commends RP bet". Office of the President of the Philippines. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
10. Escuadro, Kiko (December 4, 2017). "Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong defended Karen Ibasco with detractors". Retrieved May 7, 2018.
11. Berioso, Noli (December 2, 2017). "The Philippine Empowered Men and Women of the Year 2017". OPMB Worldwide. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
12. Teh, Thea Janica (December 5, 2017). "Philippine Empowered Men & Women of the Year 2017". Bulgar Online. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
13. Mortel, Carla (June 30, 2014). "Med student bags Miss Manila 2014 title". Manila Standard. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
14. Caparas, Celso de Guzman (June 29, 2015). "2015 Miss Manila crowned". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
15. News, GMA (December 6, 2015). "Ilongga beauty Angelia Ong is Miss Earth 2015". GMA News Online. GMA Network Inc. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
16. "In Photos: Miss PH Earth 2015 Angelia Ong's winning moment". Rappler. June 1, 2015.
17. Alviar, Vaughn (December 4, 2015). "Quotable beauty pageant Q&A quotes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
18. Tuazon, Nikko (May 31, 2015). "Angelia Gabrena Ong crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2015". Philippine Entertainment Portal. GMA New Media. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
19. Lo, Ricky (June 1, 2015). "Angelia Ong of Manila is Miss Philippines Earth 2015". Philippine Star. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
20. "Philippines' Angelia Ong wins Miss Earth 2015". Rappler. December 6, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
21. "Miss Earth 2015 – Crystal Year In Vienna Austria". Asian Journal. December 7, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
22. "PH wins historic back-to-back Miss Earth titles". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. December 6, 2015.
23. Zurbano, Joel E. (December 19, 2015). "Envi group cautions youth on firecrackers". The Standard (Philippines). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
24. News, Online (December 20, 2015). "EcoWaste launches 'Iwas Paputoxic' campaign". The Mindanao Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
25. News, Online (February 25, 2016). "Angelia Ong hosts the Asia-Pacific Forestry Week 2016". The Times of India. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
26. Aben, Elena L. (March 12, 2016). "AFP set to grow 1 million tree seedlings all over the Metro". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
27. Philippine News, Online (March 14, 2016). "Beauty queens participate in AFP's 'Race to One Million Seedlings' program". Northbound Philippines News Online. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
28. "Miss Earth Beauties at Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA)". Senate of the Philippines. April 25, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
29. "Philippines marks Earth Day with coastal clean-up". EFE. April 22, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
30. "Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong". ABC News. April 22, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
31. "Earth Day around the world, in pictures". The Daily Telegraph. April 22, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
32. "46 beautiful 'Earth Warriors' compete for 2016 Miss Philippines Earth title". Manila Standard. May 19, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
33. Patao Jr., Jose D. (May 17, 2016). "46 Miss PH Earth 2016 beauties vow to fight climate change". Malaya Business Insight. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
34. Patao Jr., Jose D. (February 5, 2016). "Pinay Angel conquers Earth". Malaya Business Insight. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
35. "Miss Earth beauties led by Angelia Ong Philippines 'improved' the Climate Reality Project training held in Manila (Miss Earth beauties sa pangunguna ni Angelia Ong ng Pilipinas 'pinaganda' ang Climate Reality Project training na dinaraos sa Maynila)". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 15, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
36. "Elsa Techer is Miss Earth Reunion Islands 2016". The Times of India. May 7, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
37. "Miss Earth Reunion Islands 2016". Tap Me Know More. May 7, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
38. Noses, JR (June 18, 2016). "Miss Philippines Earth 2016 Press Presentation". Lifestyle Central. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
39. "Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong all set to visit the USA". Bombay Times. May 20, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
40. "Michelle Gomez crowned Miss Earth Colombia 2016". The Times of India. August 16, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
41. "Miss Earth candidates Colombia today in Armenia/ Candidatas a Miss Earth Colombia hoy en Armenia". Armenia Colombia News. August 11, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
42. "Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong is here in Sri Lanka for Derana Miss Sri Lanka 2016". Pulse Sri Lanka. August 24, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
43. "Miss Earth 2015 in Sri Lanka". The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
44. Surendraraj, Joshua (September 3, 2016). "When beauty is earth – bound". The Sunday Times Magazine. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
45. News, Angola (April 25, 2017). "Emerlinda Martins crowned Miss Earth Angola 2017". The Times of India. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
46. "Ermelinda Matos coroada 'Miss Terra Angola 2017'". AngoRussia (in Portuguese). April 22, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
47. News, Miss Earth (April 24, 2017). "Katherine Espin Celebrating Earth Day in Angola". Miss Earth.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Jamie Herrell	Miss Earth 2015	Succeeded by Katherine Espín
Preceded by Jamie Herrell	Miss Philippines Earth 2015	Succeeded by Imelda Schweighart