MARINELL SALVADOR
Age: 20
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Measurements: 33 inches - 24 inches - 36 inches
Occupation/Education: Architecture Student
Describe your childhood/growing up years (8-13 years old):
My childhood is full of exhilarating events, such as learning how to ride a bike, climbing a mango tree, dancing in the rain, cooking using matches and rocks, and more. My childhood was an adventure, well, maybe for a 10-year- old version of mine. But now that I think about it, it truly was an adventure. I was a very fearless child; whenever my parents said no, I would make it my goal to turn it into a yes, whatever it took; usually, it was my snacks for the next day. I was hardheaded, but in a sense that I would do everything within my capabilities to ensure that I got to experience things, and even now, that remains one of my guiding principles, albeit now it's for my community.
What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
"If given the opportunity to rewrite my life, I wouldn’t lift the pen" – a statement I have stood by since childhood. If there's one thing I've disliked about myself, it's my imperfections, as they have sometimes been the cause of hurting others. However, if I were to advise my past self, I would urge her to embrace those imperfections, recognizing that she cannot hate herself into becoming better. I would urge her to make mistakes because she learns from them. And I do believe that it’s one of my greatest strengths up to this day, seeing my mistakes as an opportunity to better myself.
Most memorable moment:
I cherish each or every moment that I have, but my most cherished moment is when I first saw my mother cry. My mother was a former beauty queen, and even without that title, I’ve always looked up to her because she is my mother. Seeing my mother cry and be vulnerable opened my eyes, but knowing the reason behind it made my heart sink. She was crying because she felt unattractive, she felt unlovable and ugly, or should I rather say that society made her feel all those things. It is a memorable moment of mine because this moment is the beginning of my lifelong journey of being an advocate of diversity and inclusivity in beauty, a pursuit that I dedicate to my mom.
Why do you want to be Miss Philippines Earth?
Being crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2024 presents a remarkable platform for me to amplify the voices of my fellow Filipinos and advocate for their concerns on a global stage. With this prestigious title, I envision a future where I can galvanize communities, foster environmental consciousness, and spearhead impactful initiatives that promote sustainability and social responsibility. Embracing this role with grace and determination, I'm committed to using my influence to inspire positive change and empower people to take action and cultivate a harmonious relationship between humanity and the planet. As Miss Earth Philippines, I am poised to lead with compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication, embodying the spirit of beauty with a purpose to make a meaningful difference in the world.
What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose this?
Aside from being a beauty pageant queen, I am also an architecture student. And as an architecture student, empowering global collaboration in sustainable architecture feels like unlocking a world of possibilities. Therefore, "Empower Global Collaboration in Sustainable Architecture" has been an advocacy of mine. It's about coming together with fellow students, professionals, and communities worldwide to share ideas, learn from each other, and drive change. It means being part of something bigger than myself, contributing to innovative solutions that address the urgent environmental challenges we face. It's exciting to imagine the impact we can have by working together, pooling our knowledge, and embracing sustainable practices to create a more resilient and harmonious built environment for everyone.
What tip can you share to promote eco-tourism in your City or Municipality?
As someone who cares deeply about protecting our environment, I think it's important to encourage eco-friendly tourism in our area. One way to do this is by teaming up with local environmental organizations to arrange guided tours. These tours would let visitors experience the natural beauty of our region while learning about how to protect it. By showing people the wonders of our environment, we can help them understand why it's worth preserving and ensure that tourism benefits our community without harming the planet.
