Parañaque CIty
MA. DIVINE ANGELA VERANGA
Dyosa Alegna Terra
Age & Profession/Education: 25, Tourism Management Student
Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Measurements: 32 inches - 24 inches - 34 inches
Describe your childhood/growing up years (8-13 years old): I was born from a poor family. A family headed only by a single mother who struggled day and night looking for ways how to feed her children. Due to our circumstances, I had matured early for my age. I learned how to think and act like an adult when I needed to, but also be a child at times. I was responsible with school works and I didn’t need any supervision despite being young. I was a straight-laced student. I went straight home after classes and did chores at home. I made friends along the way and had memories that helped me get through. Despite the hardships that we’ve met, I was able to have a fulfilling childhood. I had friends to rely on and I had my family even if we sometimes had misunderstandings. It was a simple life, but it was worthwhile.
What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years? I learned that life throws us challenges when we least expect them which is why you should always be ready and live your life to the fullest despite your circumstances. I also learned that your status in life should not define you as a person, instead, use your weaknesses as your strengths to strive harder and attain your goals. You can’t rely on somebody else to make things better for you because nothing is handed out easily in real life. And lastly, I learned to stand up again no matter how many falls I take. We should stand on our own two feet to conquer our weaknesses and the challenges that may come our way.
Most memorable moment: My most memorable moment was when the recent pageant I joined was down to the last two girls – Peach and I. This was my first major pageant and I was one of the weakest candidate when it came to walking and projecting. I have sometimes looked down on myself, not trusting my capabilities nor saw myself up on a big stage. I never imagined that I actually had the courage to stand in front of a big crowd and to prove myself. I am thankful that I was given the chance to show my capabilities and discover my potential. I would never forget the emotions and feelings that I had when all the lights and attention were on us because this opportunity has opened a lot of doors for me. It taught me that no matter what weakness we may have, the result of our efforts are always in our hands.
Why do you want to be Miss Philippines Earth 2018? I want to be Miss Philippines Earth 2018 because I have a strong determination and capability to help mother nature. As a tourism student, I am aware of the huge part that the environment plays in our society and as a responsible citizen, I believe that it is my duty to participate in taking care of the environment that took care of our needs. By winning, I am given a bigger platform to showcase my skills, to allow my voice to engage people about the importance of my advocacy and be an ambassador in preserving, protecting, and managing our environment, our Earth, our only home.
What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose this? My environmental advocacy is to encourage society to take care of our waters. The Philippines being an archipelago, is blessed with bodies of water that makes up major industries in the Philippine economy. I chose this advocacy because plays a huge part in our daily lives. Without water, we can’t survive, nothing can grow and nothing can be made. Because water makes up 2/3 of the Earth, we are given a way of life and a home for the vast flora and fauna we were blessed with. By imposing strict rules on garbage disposal on bodies of water, empowering citizen arrest in the community, steeper penalties and community service, we can save places like LPPCHEA, a protected ecotourism site in Metro Manila where mangrove and migratory birds thrive in. Not only are we saving Mother Earth’s blessings, we are also saving the only home that we have for the generations to come.