CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The top winner of Miss Earth 2018, who will be crowned at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday evening, will sit on a throne embedded with sea glass meticulously handmade by a group of women and children in Camiguin province.
The Miss Earth Organizing Committee, through Cocoy Bajuyo of Kumunidad sa Baibai Foundation, however, confirmed on Friday that the crown, which is supposed to be adorned also with sea glass, will not be worn by the five winners during Coronation Night, as published earlier. The agreement between Kumunidad sa Baibai Foundation and Miss Earth Committee has not been finalized yet.
Bajuyo said the sea glass throne was created by women and children in Camiguin. Known as “sea glass warriors,” they belong to the Baibai Community Foundation (Kumunidad sa Baibai).
He said the throne is made of broken glasses, mostly from bottles, collected from the seashores of the province. These glasses have been washed ashore for many decades, creating a jewel-like texture.
He said their organization has more than a hundred members, most of whom consider the creation of sea glass-based jewelry and accessories as their main source of income.
Bajuyo, the foundation’s president, said Saturday’s event will parade 42 candidates vying for the title on Coronation Night, and all of them will be wearing the Camiguin Treasure brand sea glass necklace.
Reigning queen, Karen Ibasco, will turn over her crown before millions of Filipinos, who will be watching live on different accredited television and cable channels, starting at 8 p.m.
Sea glass crowns were used in Camiguin’s own beauty pageant, the “Mutya sa Buahanan”, last month as part of the Lanzones Festival events. (Ercel Maandig/PNA)
