Nguyễn Phương Khánh of Vietnam passes on her crown to the new Miss Earth, Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA—Nellys Pimentel, a psychology graduate, became the first-ever Puerto Rican winner of the Miss Earth pageant during a coronation ceremony in Manila Saturday.
Pimentel, who called for her country's leaders to stop taking advantage of the environment and start initiatives to protect and give back to it during the pageant's Q&A portion, defeated 84 other candidates.
Pimentel succeeded Nguyễn Phương Khánh of Vietnam.
The others in the international contest's Top 4 finished as follows:
Miss Earth Fire: Belarus' Alisa Manenok
Miss Earth Water: Czech Republic's Klara Vavruskova
Miss Earth Air: USA's Emanii Davis
Belarus' Alisa Manenok (from left), Nellys Pimentel, the United States' Emanii Davis, Czech Republic's Klara Vavruskova. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
The Philippines' Janelle Tee, a TV host from Pasig City, bowed out of the competition early and finished in the Top 20.
The pageant was held at Okada Manila.
Nellys Pimentel of Puerto Rico is the first ever representative from her country to win the pageant. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Below are more photos of the new Miss Earth winner: