MANILA – Katherine Espín, who represented Ecuador, was crowned Miss Earth 2016 on Saturday.

During the question-and-answer portion of the pageant, Espin, along with the other ladies who made it to the top 4, were asked for their envisioned program to protect the planet from climate change.

The 23-year-old model and cosmetologist said: “I truly believe in the 5 R's, which is re-think, reduce, re-use, recycle and respect. Because I believe that as human beings, if we apply that to our everyday lives, we can make a change and we will reduce the problem that we have just mentioned. If we apply that to our everyday lives, I believe that we as humans can save the place we live in, which is our Mother Earth.”

A model and cosmetologist, Espin said she joined the beauty contest to forward her advocacy of instilling in young students the importance of taking care of the environment.

Espin succeeded Filipina beauty queen Angelia Ong, to bring home the second Miss Earth title for Ecuador.