As search for Miss Earth 2018 continues in Philippines, organisers added the Online Popularity Voting, dubbed ‘Eco-Media Beauty’ to a list featuring several other categories, to give the public a chance to vote for their favourite contestants, from the 89 competing countries, via either Facebook or Instagram. Rwanda is represented by 19-year-old Anastasie Umutoniwase, who a month ago won the ticket for the pageant at the national level beating off stiff competition from nine other candidates. To support Umutoniwase on Facebook, go to the Miss Earth Facebook page, select her photo in the ‘online voting 2018’ album and share it on any timeline with #MissEarthRwanda2018 and #MissEarth2018. On Instagram, follow the Miss Earth Instagram page, and search for the Glam Shot of their favourite delegate/contestant’s picture, and press ‘like’ to vote. Voting began on October 23 and is open untill the grand finale on November 3, at 12p.m Philippines time (6a.m Rwanda time). The accumulated number of valid Facebook shares and the number of Instagram likes will determine the online popularity score, which accounts for 50 per cent of the Eco-Media Beauty scores. The other half will depend on the contestants’ visibility on social media and how they have contributed toward the popularity of the global beauty competition. The Eco-Media Beauty winner will automatically enter into the semi-finals, which will be announced during the coronation night on November 3. Meanwhile, Umutoniwase is part of a group of contestants named ‘Fire’, who competed in last week’s runway in ‘bikini’ outfit which she successfully completed. She also took part in the ‘long gown wear’ segment, where contestants showed up before the public in long dresses. In its 18th edition, this year’s Miss Earth 2018 winner will be announced and crowned at the pageant Coronation Night slated for November 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Philippines. The winner will be looking to succeed last year’s pageant queen, Karen Ibasco of Philippines. Umutoniwase left for Philippines on October 12, six days after Miss Earth kick-off. She toldThe New Times that “everything is going well so far.” The Miss Earth pageant aims at raising awareness on the issues of environmental degradation and climate change. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
