Fraters Libertas

Yes, But Will We Hear Them Roar?

In the Philippines this evening, a new Miss Earth will be crowned. According to the pageant's website, the event was created two years ago to:

...search and develop true "beauties for a cause." The delegates and winners give meaning and relevance to this beauty competition by promoting worthwhile environmental causes and getting actively involved in caring for and preserving Mother Earth.

Joining the new Miss Earth will be her royal court of honor consisting of Miss Air (2nd place), Miss Water (3rd place) and Miss Fire (4th place). I'm not kidding. One girl will actually have the privilege of being named a Miss Fire.

What are the requirements necessary to compete for such an honor, you ask? Contestants must be:

18 - 25 years of age.
Single, never given birth.
Minimum height of 5 feet 4 inches.
Possess beauty of face and proportionate body structure.
Outgoing and friendly.
Excellent physical condition.
Has knowledge of her country's culture and environment.

In other words, the girls must be young, single, hot, flirtatious and skinny non-dwarves who are currently not in a coma. How's that for meaning and relevance?

Lest you think that the organizers don't take this relevance thing too lightly, last year's winner, Dzejla Glavovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was stripped of her title "for failing to actively promote the pageant's environmental projects." Apparently, Glavovic would promise to attend events and activities organized by the pageant's sponsors but would never show up. Perhaps she was too busy being "outgoing and friendly" with the local single non-dwarf males.

The best part of the whole pageant, though, has to be the theme song entitled "Woman of The Earth" (despite the fact that Earth, Wind and Fire's "Shining Star" is tailor made for this event). The lyrics read as follows:

Listen to my voice, Singing in the wind
Feel my gentle touch, In the golden sunlight

I was born to love, Kiss your tears away
Banish all your fears, Fill the world with joy

I am a woman of the earth, Spreading love and joy, fun and laughter
Woman of the earth, Making miracles forever after

Loving, Caring, Working, Sharing
Teaching, Singing, Mothering

See my loving glow, In a blushing flower
Watch my dreams take wings, Over skies so blue

I will save the earth, And its every glory
I will teach my child, Every golden story

I am a woman of the earth, Spreading love and joy, fun and laughter
Woman of the earth, Making miracles forever after

Loving, Caring, Working, Sharing
Teaching, Singing, Mothering

Woman of the earth (I am woman)
Woman of the earth (I am woman)
Woman of the Earth!

Helen Reddy, eat your heart out.

UPDATE:
Here is your first glimpse of Miss Earth 2003 (Miss Honduras Dania Prince) and her Royal Court a full 19 days before you can see the delayed telecast of the pageant on STAR TV.

No word yet on the whereabouts of Steve Trevor and the invisible jet.