SHAIMA AL YANSURI

Age: 26
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Measurements: 30 inches - 24 inches - 35 inches
Occupation/Education: Content Editor

Describe your childhood/growing up years (8-13 years old):
Growing up without siblings or peers my age at home, my weekdays were packed with classes and school activities. Weekends, on the other hand, were spent playing with childhood friends or engaging in solitary activities with dolls and cooking toys. Throughout these years, social anxiety lingered as I felt different from kids my age, mainly due to my complexion, body, and hair.

Despite these, I excelled academically from a young age, receiving encouragement from teachers to also explore performing and writing. This led me to discover a passion for journalism writing, broadcasting, poetry writing, poetry reading, filmmaking, and declamation. Unfortunately, stage fright held me back from fully exploring some of these interests.

On a positive note, my family provided unwavering support, celebrating both big and small achievements. Their encouragement has become a constant source of positive affirmations growing up.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I learned important lessons while growing up. I discovered the beauty of embracing my uniqueness among others, realizing that these differences aren't flaws but attributes that enhance my individuality. I also learned how simple acts of kindness can have a profound impact on the world. Lastly, I gained an understanding of the importance of pursuing personal goals and finding comfort in my own solitude and pace.

Most memorable moment:
Reflecting on the past, one of the most unforgettable moments occurred during my fourth-grade year. I was appointed to join representatives from my school in a region-wide, two-day campus journalism training held in my town. Being a first-timer, everything was new and exciting. I immersed myself in the experience, not overly concerned about my submissions, considering it as just another extracurricular activity. I had no expectations, particularly since I was among the youngest participants.

However, everything took a turn during the awarding ceremony. To my surprise, my name was called multiple times on stage for recognition among hundreds of participants from numerous towns and schools in Iloilo. Beyond those acknowledgments, I was also awarded as one of the Western Visayas Most Promising Young Journalists. This not only brought pride to my school but also to my town.

That moment sparked a passion within me and led me to discover my love for writing and journalism. Since then, I've actively pursued this passion through various trainings and competitions, eventually choosing it as my field of study for my Bachelor's degree.

I've come to see that sometimes, the universe encourages us to get involved in situations, even if we don't fully get it, so we can discover our own abilities.

Why do you want to be Miss Philippines Earth?
I am strongly committed to vying for the title of Miss Philippines Earth 2024 because of my deep involvement in the community and my advocacy of leveraging short films as a powerful medium to bring together farmers and locals, providing them with education on environmental protection and heritage preservation. I believe that active engagement from citizens can contribute significantly to building a vibrant, eco-friendly and livable community.

Miss Philippines Earth serves as a platform for me to amplify my causes and intensify my call for the community's journey towards environmental protection and heritage preservation. My dedication extends beyond Iloilo to encompass the entire Philippines. While my previous contributions to the community have been impactful, the Miss Philippines Earth pageant offers me a broader canvas to contribute more significantly, allowing me to transcend the role of an environmental steward.

In addition to championing environmental causes, I aspire to embody genuine beauty as Miss Philippines Earth. I aim to reflect heartfelt beauty through my smile, stance, actions, and a profound sense of purpose, becoming a true ambassador for the environment and a source of inspiration for others to follow.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose this?
My advocacy is all about "Environment Awareness through Education"

Dunang Manggad: Empowering the Ilonggo Community through Cinematic Eco-Action for Environmental Protection & Heritage Preservation

As one of the Co-founders and the current Vice President for Internal Affairs at GuimBalikid Inc., my longstanding goal has been to promote our town as a livable community through citizen involvement.

Now, with Iloilo City recently honored as UNESCO's first Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines, bolstering its appeal to tourists, I am even more determined to reinforce my advocacy.

In my capacity as a filmmaker, I am dedicated to leveraging short films as a powerful medium to bring together farmers and locals, providing them with education on environmental protection and heritage preservation. This cinematic initiative is designed to champion the initiatives of local farmers, promoting the enhancement and sustainability of their livelihoods as the primary custodians of the rich culinary heritage of the Ilonggo community. This commitment extends to prioritizing eco-friendly initiatives.

Moreover, my comprehensive plan includes revisiting grassroots efforts and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of locals in preserving Iloilo's environmental heritage spots. Through Dunang Manggad, we strive to weave a cohesive narrative that unites the community in a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and the preservation of our cultural heritage.

What tip can you share to promote eco-tourism in your City or Municipality?
Being an Ilonggo, I take immense pride in the recent recognition of Iloilo City as the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines. In light of this achievement, my aim is to boost eco-tourism in Iloilo City by advocating for the enhancement of facilities, services, resources, and talents within the local culinary industry, with a specific focus on the eco-friendly efforts of our primary contributors – the local farmers to actively preserve the rich culinary heritage of the Ilonggo community.

Moreover, to promote Iloilo’s eco-tourism, a valuable tip is to harness the power of storytelling through various mediums. Utilize the success and initiatives of Dunang Manggad as a compelling narrative to showcase the beauty of Iloilo, emphasizing its commitment to environmental protection and heritage preservation.

Create engaging promotional materials, including short films, documentaries, and social media content that highlight the scenic environmental heritage spots, sustainable practices, and the vibrant cultural heritage of the Ilonggo community. This not only serves as a visual treat for potential tourists but also communicates the community's dedication to responsible and eco-friendly tourism.

By weaving a compelling story that revolves around environmental stewardship and cultural preservation, we can attract environmentally conscious tourists, thereby fostering a sustainable and responsible tourism industry in the city of love, Iloilo.