MANILA, Philippines?Sandra Seifert, the New York-educated nurse disqualified from the Bb. Pilipinas two days before the pageant in March, is now making waves in the rival competition, Miss Philippines-Earth.

After five major preliminary competitions, the 5?9? Filipino-German model representing Negros Occidental has won four special awards?Best in Cultural Costume, RCBC E-Woman, Gandang Ricky Reyes and Best in Swimsuit.

Five other awards have been given? to Jane Sy from Cainta, Miss Ever Bilena Photogenic; Tessa Kruger from the Filipino community in Canada, Best in Long Gown; Angelee Claudett delos Reyes from Olongapo City, Miss Talent; Karryl An Lopez from Pasay City, Miss Golden Sunset; and Catherine Loyola from the Filipino community in Sydney, Miss Magnolia.

Sandra was poised to take the top plum in Binibini earlier this year but was dropped by organizers after she was found to have posed in the October 2007 issue of a men?s magazine.

Now Sandra is touted as the one who will bring home the crown. If she succeeds Karla Henry, she will become the fourth Binibini castoff to represent the country in the Miss Earth pageant.

Karla, also the reigning Miss Earth, did not receive any award in the Bb. Pilipinas last year. Her predecessor, Jeanne Harn, failed to advance to the semis in the same competition in 2004. Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan admitted that she enlisted for Binibini but failed to make it as a candidate.

Other Binibini alumnae in the competition are Victorias City?s Adie Adelantar, Tarlac City?s Evangeline Mae Castillo and Apalit?s Vanessa Johnson.

If the trend continues, there will be changes in the nine-year-old pageant. Semifinalists who don?t advance to the Top 5 will be considered runners-up and may take over titles in case any of the finalists fails to fulfill her obligations.

Lorraine Shuck, executive vice president of organizer Carousel Productions, explained, ?We realized we didn?t have ladies on stand by if one of our queens needs to be replaced. [More advocates] would also help us spread the cause of environmental protection more effectively.?

The Miss Philippines-Earth pageant will be held at The Arena in San Juan tonight and telecast live on ABS-CBN at 10 p.m. after ?TV Patrol Linggo.?