Karla Henry of the Philippines is Miss Earth 2008

Miss Philippines Karla Paula Henry, 22, has been crowned Miss Earth 2008, becoming the very first Filipina and Asian to win the title.

The country is indeed back with a vengeance after missing the cut for the first time last year.

It is also important to note that Miss Earth is a Filipino-organized beauty pageant that started in 2001, and is being held in the Philippines every year.

During the Miss Earth 2008 finals, the selection of the Top 4 finalists was based solely on their long gown presentations unlike in previous editions where there was an interview with the Top 8 finalists other than the long gown competition. Was it intended to ensure Miss Philippines' placement in the Top 4?

Henry deserves though to be the Miss Earth 2008, especially with her beauty, great stage presence plus her spontaneous, witty response on the final question: If you have a chance to speak to Newly Elected US President, Barack Obama, about the state of Global environment, what will you tell him?

She answered: For me, I would tell the newly-elected President of the United States, being one of the most powerful countries in the world, I would encourage him to use the environment or to implement environmental knowledge in the curriculum of schools not just in the US, but also in the Philippines. Environmental knowledge is something that all of us must share, but most importantly we must teach the youth that this is something that we should instill in them so that in the near future they will be the ones to take care of our mother Earth. And I firmly believe in the saying that the children are our future.

Karla Henry once tried joining Binibining Pilipinas, the local franchise holder of Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International, but she failed to place in the finals despite being one of the heavy favorites.

Then came Miss Philippines Earth pageant, she won then represented her country in Miss Earth 2008 pageant and she becomes the titleholder.

With this new development, Philippines' next target is the Miss World crown, after having won titles in four other grandslam beauty pageants: Three Four Miss International (Thanks to Sharah for correcting me on this), two Miss Universe, one Miss Tourism Queen International and one Miss Earth.

Here are some Karla Henry's photos from the web: