Photo Credit: ABS-CBN news
There are so many reviews about each pageant but I decide to change it in an innovative way.
I use the acronyms M.A.C.E. It means:
Milestones
Awkward Moments
Challenges
Expectations
Milestones:
1. The Miss Earth pageant was held at the sports arena particularly for the first time but Miss Philippines Earth already held at MOA Arena from 2013-2015.
2. The pre-pageant activities extended to Mindanao especially Davao City is the major co-host of the pageant aside from Metro Manila.
3. The pageant visited a record breaking number of provinces: Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Guimaras, Cebu, Leyte, Sorsogon, Isabela, Occidental Mindoro, Zamboanga del Sur, Aklan, Batangas, Benguet and others if I did not mention.
4. 1st placement for England and Macau. This is also Macau's 1st placement in a Big 5 pageant, the closest one was at Miss World 1986 where she lost by 1 point against the highest scorer from Asia Miss Philippines.
5. All the eco-videos were shown for the first time during the telecast/webcast as part of opening number though it was very short.
6. Hashtag interpretation was introduced at this pageant.
7. Colombia's best finish at Miss Earth 2016 and Venezuela's placement streak continues.
Awkward Moments:
1. Misheard announcement by Miss Indonesia. She tought she was in the top 16 instead of Miss Italy who was the actual semifinalist.
2. Translator's problems especially Miss Vietnam's
3. Some of the National directors' emotional moments
4. Miss Philippines' rants and attitude problems
Challenges:
1. The pageant moved back to October instead of usual November and December, which I thought it might get less than 80 girls because of the time schedule. Instead they still get more than 80 delegates for the 12th straight year.
2. Changes of franchise holders and the absence of France, Germany and Spain.
3. MOA Arena is a huge one and there is some concerns that it will not fill the arena just what happened at MGI 2014 & 2015 where the pageant was accused of empty seats at the arena but thanks to the good promotion and free tickets that was paid by a major sponsor, the arena was jampacked.
4. Pre-pageant activities was held in Mindanao for the first time thanks to Department of Tourism. At least PNP was able to secure these girls during the course of the pageant.
Expectations for next edition of Miss Earth
1. Competent and Confident Translators, even a competent translator could get nervous while they translate the finalists' answers.
2. Good livestream or wifi server for Rappler. I hope they would get independent wifi server just to prevent from another botched livestreaming.
3. Livestreaming coverage for the pre-judging interviews just to prevent from speculations.
4. Good hospitality from the host country if Philippines is not the host country for the 17th Miss Earth.
My score for this year's pageant is 9.4 out of 10.