Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Beauty queen Loren Mar Artajos is in for a life-changing milestone as she takes the crown as Miss Philippines Earth 2016, replacing Imelda Schweighart who resigned on Monday, October 31.
Schweighart relinquished her Miss Philippines Earth crown following controversy over a viral video, where she’s caught making disparaging remarks about the winner of the Miss Earth 2016 pageant, Katherine Espín of Ecuador.
Artajos had won Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2016 as the second runner-up to the Miss Philippines Earth pageant.
“I am ready to take on the responsibilities of being the new Miss Philippines Earth with enthusiasm and positivity,” she said in a message to CNN Philippines on Thursday.
Carousel Productions, the pageant’s organizer, first offered Schweighart’s crown to first runner-up winner Miss Philippines Earth-Air Kiara Giel Gregorio. However, Gregorio had to decline the offer, explaining that she is busy studying law in London and would have no time to fulfill a beauty queen’s responsibilities.
As for Artajos, she said she considers it a great honor to accept the crown. She looks forward to fulfill the remaining obligations of her predecessor.
“This new endeavor is truly challenging but with all of the support that I am getting, I am sure that this will be easy and worthwhile,” she said.
The 26-year-old beauty, who hails from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, thanked her loved ones and supporters. She said she is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support she received since accepting the crown on Wednesday night.
