CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Could Kirsten Dawn Delerio be the third Cebuana to wear the Miss Philippines Earth (MPE) crown after Karla Paula Henry in 2008 and Jamie Herrell in 2014?
The candidate from Cebu City is among the 33 delegates seeking to succeed Joy Barcoma on June 27 in Bukidnon.
She is best known as the winner of Miss Fitness Supermodel World 2024 in Vietnam, as well as being the second runner-up of Miss Fit Philippines 2026 and third runner-up of Supermodel International Philippines 2023.
Delerio entered pageants at the age of 17, after beginning her modeling career at 14, to help support her education. “These experiences shaped me into the woman that I have become — a girl who was once bullied for being so skinny and malnourished has become a strong and unstoppable woman,” she said during the preliminary closed-door interview posted on YouTube on June 16.
So far, Delerio had a placement in the ongoing pageant’s Miss Hana Beauties competition, won silver in the Media Choice selection, as well as bronze in the Talent Competition’s singing category.
Delerio described herself as a “shy and vulnerable girl” who grew up in Talisay City with her two grandmothers, who “instilled what it means to be a Filipino woman.”
Her experience of being “bullied” over her skinny frame inspired her advocacy, “Soil to Soul,” which seeks to address child malnutrition by teaching children how to grow their own food.
“It’s rooted in my belief that caring for the environment and for people must go hand in hand. I want to bridge the gap between sustainable food practices by teaching children how to grow their own food and prepare their own nutritious meals,” she said. “My goal is to reduce child malnutrition through nutrition education programs and through my project, while helping restore children’s health, dignity and hope for a better future.”
She said there are 3.45 million malnourished children in the Philippines and stressed that addressing hunger goes beyond providing food, as proper nutrition also helps improve educational outcomes and gives children a better chance to succeed.
“We need to address this because the children are our future. That’s why, through my project, I am focusing on educating young minds because they are our future,” she continued. “I do not think the government is doing enough because, year by year, it’s getting worse, and that is why I want to use my voice and encourage people to take action.”
Delerio’s looks has been compared to various beauty queens, including Sirenne Sutton, Nancy Leonard, Nanette Medved, Adela Marshall, and Gazini Ganados. Others praised her overall presentation in the pageant, with one Facebook commenter writing, “Wow! She has a strong aura and brilliance of beauty. She’s meant for the Miss Earth 2026 crown,” while another said, “Her presence exudes an undeniable international appeal.”
Whether Delerio lands a placement i this Saturday’s coronation, she appears committed to continuing not only her advocacy, but also the environmental causes championed by the organization.
“This organization is beyond beauty. For almost 26 years, we have been making a positive impact on the environment, and as a woman, all I can do is use my voice and partner with small projects since this pageant promotes advocacies,” she said. “Resilience starts with us, and we need to act for our environment so that future generations will not suffer.”
During a preliminary competition, she also emphasized the importance of sustainability in daily life. “Every day, we are given choices that could shape a better future through mindful living, whether by reducing waste, growing our own food or making sustainable decisions,” she said.
“If we implement these practices, we can create a positive impact on both our health and the environment. Let us take care of our well-being and of our Mother Earth, and give back to our Mother Earth for all she continuously provides for us.”
| By JANUAR JUNIOR AGUJA/VAB
