Miss Earth Guam
Miss Earth Guam is a national beauty pageant held annually in search of the most beautiful and environmental-friendly woman in the United States territory of Guam. It is one of the official preliminaries to the international Miss Earth beauty pageant. The pageant focuses mainly on promoting environmental causes and winners are chosen equally on their physical attributes as well as their understanding and knowledge of the issues affecting the Earth. Along with Miss Universe and Miss World contests, Miss Earth is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national-level competitions to participate in the world finals. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote environmental projects and to address issues concerning the environment. History In the last quarter of 2007, Frank B. Santos acquired the national franchise for Miss Earth Guam from Carousel Productions, the organization that runs the Miss Earth and Miss Philippines Earth beauty contests. In July 2008, a press conference was held in Tumon for the official launching of Miss Earth Guam. The event was organized by Santos and attended by Guam's First Lady Joann Camacho, Senator Tina Muna Barnes, and Sinajana Vice Mayor Robert Hoffman. Camacho extended the government of Guam's assistance to the Miss Earth Guam Organization and to the Miss Earth Guam delegate in order to fully participate in the Miss Earth 2008 pageant. The Miss Earth Guam Organization was created to work with local youth and adults to participate in environmental issues and projects. The organization aims to foster Beauties for a Cause, a cadre of young leaders and ambassadors whose mission is to encourage both local and global communities through promoting awareness on the importance of preservation, protection, and care, for the environment. Titleholders Environmental activities Liberation of Guam Celebration On July 15, 2009, Maria Luisa Santos, Miss Earth Guam 2009 attended the 65th Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam and the Battle for the Northern Marianas hosted by the Guam Society of America. The reception was held in the Caucus Room of the historic Cannon House Office building on Capitol Hill, which attended by over 1,000 guests. The Capitol Hill reception continues a tradition of honoring the Liberation of Guam in Washington, D.C. to honor the sacrifices of the Chamorros who endured World War II on Guam and the liberators who fought for Guam's freedom. Earth Hour 2009 In March 2009, the Miss Earth Guam Organization organized the "Earth Hour Wave" as part of their platform in promoting environmental awareness. Miss Earth Guam 2008 Jennifer Neves, together with other candidates of Miss Earth Guam 2009 and several volunteers participated the Earth Hour 2009 in Hagåtña, Guam to urge the people of Guam to switch off their lights for one hour on March 28 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in observance of Earth Hour. Nearly 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries took part in the Earth Hour, an effort to call attention to climate change. The World Wildlife Fund sponsored the