Flying high FOR TERRA FIRMA

Amalshan GUNERATHNE

Crowned in 2011 as the International Miss Earth , she has been fervently engaged in environmental awareness campaigns that aim to preserve the nature of its fading beauty. Contrasting with the cosmetic covered, dimwitted Barbie dolls that you often encounter at modern beauty pageants, she possesses a sense of intellect and wit that compliment her charms.

As she relates, the route to the crown is not possible without a vibrant personality, good values and a sharp intellect. The Ecuadorian fashion model and International Miss Earth title holder Olga Mercedes Álava Vargas represents this new breed of beauty queens. Zest 'Fashionista' was able to catch up with the Ecuadorian beauty as she visited the island in parallel to Miss Earth Sri Lanka 2013 beauty pageant which unraveled last week.

Q:Is it practical to create awareness and motivate people into preserve environment through a beauty pageant?

A:Anyone can motivate people. It is not difficult hard. You do something good and if someone sees you, that person will feel motivated. When you are a beauty queen, it is an advantage because you have the exposure.

The easiest way to get to people is through children. Children are the future. So during my tenure, we visited lots of schools. We worked with them and educated them on how they should contribute towards environmental preservation. The emphasis was put on educating them on reusing and recycling waste for better purposes. Sometimes people need to be show how it is done.

Q: Considering Miss Earth is about creating awareness about environmental issues, how important is it for candidates to be knowledgeable about environmental dilemmas that plague the world?

A: It is important to know what is happening in your country. You are contending for a world title, so if you don’t know about the issues of your country how can you represent the world? It is important to possess great insight about the environmental issues in the world. People value what you think. If you are not a person with values, you lose marks.

Q: What character traits should a Miss Earth title holder possess?

A: Miss Earth has to be a woman who is really committed. The competition level is high. The girls have to make sure that they are confident. To succeed you have to compete with yourself. You have to be a people’s person and you have to be knowledgeable and concerned about environmental issues.

Q: In the age of cosmetic surgery and make-up, how important is it to preserve one’s natural beauty?

A: The judges give extra attention to natural beauty in the Miss Earth competition. You have to stand without any makeup, just as how god brings you to the world, during some of the interviews. True, sometimes women do look better with makeup but it is always good to stay simple.

Q: Do you feel that the rapid development has had an adverse affect on environmental preservation?

A: You can’t say that you should put an end to the development process because it harms the environment. You need to maintain certain equilibrium. If you are going to destroy a tree, plant ten more. If you are going to set up a tree, make a park with lots of trees. You don’t have to restrict development because of the environment. You should respond with deforestation and a recycle campaign to maintain the balance. This year's Miss Earthcampaign is working on the preservation of water. Last year we talked about deforestation and renewable energy.

Q: Were you interested in the environment post Miss Earth ?

A: I didn’t focus a lot on the environmental stuff back then. I was more into social work. I work with children with Aids and with old people in hospitals. I used to meet them and talk with them. Sometimes they feel marginalized. People make them feel that way when they are no longer important. It is important to give them a sense of importance.

Q: What are your plans during your stay in Sri Lanka?

A: I was invited to Sri Lanka to judge the Miss Earth Sri Lanka 2013 competition. I want to carry the message of preservation to the world. It is important that you select the correct woman to represent your country to engage in that task.