Representing the Philippines, Roxanne Allison Baeyens, 23, is one of the strongest Miss Earth 2020 candidates. Many Filipinos expect her to win the annual international beauty pageant’s 20th edition, which will be aired on FOXlife and TV5.

Baeyens is 168cm tall. Hailing from Baguio City, Philippines, a mountainous region, the Igorot beauty queen is an advocate for urban gardening and agriculture.

An environmentalist, Baeyens’ mother used to work for the princess of Belgium. Her mother met her father in the European country.

To win the Miss Earth 2020 crown, Baeyens has to beat 83 other candidates from all over the world. Including the Philippines, a total of 17 countries from Asia are represented.

The competition started on September 21, 2020. Due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reigning Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico will crown her successor through a virtual coronation night hosted by James Deakin, who is based in the Philippines.

Like in the 19 previous editions, the three runners-up will also have titles. These are Miss Earth-Air 2020, Miss Earth-Water 2020 and Miss Earth-Fire 2020.

Prior to the coronation night, the candidates participated in the national costume competition, the evening gown competition, the swimsuit competition, the resort wear competition, the sports wear competition and the talent competition. The candidates were divided into four continental group namely Africa, Asia and Oceania, Europe and the Americas.

In the Asia and Oceania group, Baeyens won gold in evening gown competition, the swimsuit competition and the dance category of the talent competition. She also won silver in the resort wear competition and bronze in the sports wear competition.

This is the first time Miss Earth is held virtually. All of the 19 previous editions were held in the Philippines except for the 10th and 15th editions, which were held in Vietnam and Austria, respectively.

Among the 19 Miss Earth titleholders, six are from Asia. They are Karla Henry, Jamie Herrell, Angelia Ong and Karen Ibasco of the Philippines, Nicole Faria of India and Nguyễn Phương Khánh of Vietnam.

Founded on April 3, 2001 and headquartered in the Philippines, Miss Earth promotes environmental awareness, conservation and social responsibility. It is one of the top four international beauty pageants along with Miss International, Miss World and Miss Universe.

Baeyens is looking forward to be the fifth Miss Earth from the Philippines. Watch her eco-video here: