Photo by joahnnalee/Instagram
Filipino American digital producer Joahnna Lee Longos Ucol is proudly stepping into the national pageant spotlight as the first-ever representative from Hawaii in the Miss Philippines Earth competition.
A passionate advocate for purpose-driven living and environmental awareness, Ucol brings with her not just beauty and grace, but also a rich cultural heritage rooted in both Ilocos Norte and the Visayas region.
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Earning the right to represent the US state, she recently posted head shots on her Instagram and shared her enthusiasm for returning to her motherland and embracing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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“Inward, onward, and upward. All things with love and purpose,” she wrote, hinting at the meaningful journey she hopes to take during the competition.
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The Ilocana beauty’s perspective on the environment is thoughtful and inspiring, noting that “the silver lining to our planet’s sickness is the chance to heal ourselves and rise together.”
Before the official announcement from the Miss Philippines Earth organization, Ucol made an early splash with her surprise guest appearance on the ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime,” wearing her Miss Philippines Earth Hawaii sash.
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Her visit marked a warm welcome back to the Philippines, a country she continues to consider home despite growing up overseas.
“Maraming Salamat @itsshowtimena for the acknowledgement. This was such a wonderful way to be welcomed back to my home country,” she captioned. “Moments like these remind me of the influence a title holds and all the good you can do with a platform and visibility as a titleholder. I feel so inspired to be rooted in purpose and in service more than ever!”
As Miss Philippines Earth begins revealing its 2025 roster of candidates, there’s a mix of fresh faces and veterans from pageants like Miss World Philippines, Miss Universe Philippines and Binibining Pilipinas, with the likes of Joy Barcoma, Angel Tambal and Liz Mabao.
