The Miss Earth Guyana Organization on Monday last launched its national costume, “Queen Amazonica Victoria Regia” as well as a new eco-magazine, Bloom. Guyana is said to be the first of the 102-plus countries that will be competing in the international competition to launch such a magazine.
A small audience gathered at the Umana Yana to view the costume, created by Guyanese designer Dexter Gardener, and have a first look at the digital magazine. They were also treated to special items in song, dance and poetry. The highlight was reigning queen Faydeha King’s performance of her talent piece for the Miss Earth Competition, a dance called “Terror Alive”. Miss Eco Guyana Cintiana Harry also performed the dance she did for the talent preliminary.
The costume depicts Guyana’s national flower, the Victoria Amazonica, which is native to the Amazon and South America. It is said to be the largest species of water lilies. After it was discovered the second time in 1837, it was named Victoria Regia for Queen Victoria, who was on the British throne at the time.
The costume comprises multiple miniature replicas of the Victoria Amazonica, in a butterfly execution style that represents the relationship between the gentle creatures and the flower itself. The wings of the butterfly span 70 inches and are indented with multicoloured stones. The headdress is 70 inches high with gold buds, lily petals, two replica lilies and hundreds of broken jewels and stones. It includes a sceptre that is a representation of power. The costume is in line with the Miss Earth theme ‘Celebrating Fauna’.
The eco-focused magazine highlights a greener economy through agriculture and details how individuals and families can go green by doing some of the simplest things. Bloom can be found at missearthguyana.org or guyanapremiere.org.
The forum was also used to highlight what the organisation has been up to this year, which includes numerous tree planting and beach cleaning exercises done in collaboration with volunteers. The team has also participated in going green educational programmes. Through such activities the organization has begun a partnership with the Ministry of Business, Department of Tourism for the recently launched agro-tourism week and expo. The Miss Earth Guyana Organization will be involved with education in agro tourism in Guyana for sustainable farming practices. Managing Director Omesh Balmacoon called on persons from all walks of life to work together in preserving the earth.
The team was also awarded two youth awards this year. National Franchise Director Dave Lalltoo received an award for Excellence in Environmental Protection and Conservation. The second award, National Youth Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, went to Team Guyana Premier, the franchise owner of Miss Earth. Balmacoon added that since Guyana Premier took over the franchise there has been significant growth.
In 2018 Miss Earth Guyana was able to secure the gold medal for national costume and the silver medal for talent through then queen Xamiera Kippins and hopes to keep the momentum going while striving for higher goals.
The night also saw a tribute to the late Sherwin Gasper, owner of Precise Printing, who died earlier this month. Gasper and his company had been among the organization’s best sponsors.
As part of the tree planting exercise each member of the audience was gifted a tomato plant.
Meanwhile, just two days after the launch, Faydeha lost her beloved grandfather in a fire. The organization through a release via social media sent condolences to the family. It indicated that all will still go as planned as it relates to Faydeha participating in the international pageant.
Applications for the Miss Earth Guyana 2020 pageant are open and can be found on the Miss Earth Guyana Facebook page.
The Miss Earth Competition is the third largest international pageant worldwide and the largest environmental competition. The pageant is slated for October 26 in the Philippines.
