REIGNING Miss Philippines-Earth Karla Paula Henry confessed to the Inquirer that she feels sad about giving up her national title.

But upon seeing the 50 contestants vying for her crown, Henry said she is ?excited because a new batch is coming in to try out the things that we did.?

Henry, a Cebuana who?s also the reigning Miss Earth, said ?when we crown the next Miss Philippines-Earth, I can focus more on my international duties and responsibilities.? She hopes to travel a lot to spread the pageant?s environmental advocacy and make Miss Earth known on a wider scale.

First Asian Miss Earth

The ramp and commercial model is the third Binibining Pilipinas castoff to be crowned Miss Philippines-Earth. She failed to advance in the rival pageant?s semifinals last year, but became the first Asian woman to be proclaimed Miss Earth.

Catherine Untalan, the 2006 Miss Philippines-Earth winner, admitted she had also signed up for Bb. Pilipinas but failed to make the roster of candidates. Her vindication came when she placed third in the Miss Earth international pageant.

Jeanne Harn was also empty-handed in Bb. Pilipinas but was proclaimed Miss Philippines-Earth in 2007 and went on to win special citations in the Miss Earth pageant.

If this trend continues, some candidates may already have an advantage.

Victorias City?s Adie Adelantar and Evangeline Mae Castillo of Tarlac joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Both failed to crack the Top 10.

Sandra Seifert, who was disqualified from Bb. Pilipinas 2009 two days before coronation night for posing in a men?s magazine, is trying her hand in Miss Philippines-Earth representing Negros Occidental. The controversial beauty said she feels blessed for getting another opportunity to join a pageant.

Among the other contenders are 2009 Bb. Pilipinas finalist Vanessa Johnson of Apalit and 2007 Mutya ng Pilipinas semifinalists Angelee de los Reyes of Olongapo City and Tanya Louise Hendy from the Filipino community in Melbourne, Australia.

Some early favorites include Michelle Martha Braun of Aklan, Paula Figueras of Ilocos Sur, and Tessa Kruger from the Filipino community in Canada.

The Miss Philippines-Earth coronation night will be held on May 10, 7 p.m. at The Arena in San Juan City. It will be televised on ABS-CBN on the same night and will be beamed to other countries via The Filipino Channel.