JOSEPHINE RUHLMAN
Age: 23
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Measurements: 36 inches - 30 inches - 36 inches
Occupation/Education: Hospitality Professional
Describe your childhood/growing up years (8-13 years old):
8-10 years old: My family and I moved to Florida. This is when I fell in love with reading books. I was placed into the gifted program where 6 students and I had to learn mathematics and science at a more advanced level. I learned the hard way of why it is important to choose your friends wisely.
11-13 years old: I started going to middle school. I always tried my best in school to make my parents proud. I realized we had family struggles at home. School became my favorite place because I enjoyed learning about most of the subjects I took. I also enjoyed spending time with my small group of friends. I was more aware of how every choice and action you take has a consequence, whether it's positive or negative. During this time, I volunteered for my first local trash cleanup. I also played on the soccer team.
What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
Some life lessons I learned in my childhood years were:
Choose your friends wisely because they influence your mindset and actions
Only use water and electricity when needed, not only because of bills, but also for the planet
Our actions and words can influence others more than we expect them to
Life is not easy, but God will never have us go through something we cannot handle
I learned about the importance of restoring and protecting the environment in life science and earth science. When I chose to take a marine science class, I learned why we also need to preserve the aquatic ecosystems.
Most memorable moment:
My most memorable moment was participating in Fiesta Mo sa USA's Miss category pageant. Due to personal life struggles, I used to think that I could never join a beauty pageant, let alone win one. When I found out that Fiesta Mo sa USA was hosting a pageant to help fund and bring awareness to ABS-CBN Foundation International's Bantay Bata 163 movement, I eagerly joined. I will never forget the amazing experience of participating in a pageant for a cause.
Why do you want to be Miss Philippines Earth?
I want to be Miss Philippines Earth 2023 because I want to represent the Philippines as I advocate others about environmental awareness, conservation and social responsibility. This pageant is a big opportunity for me to use my voice, actions and passion to help people learn and understand the importance in why we must preserve our global home and how all of us can partake in doing so. If I was given the honor of being Miss Philippines Earth 2023, I will continue to educate those around me by being an example of how behavioral changes and volunteering can make a big difference while proudly representing my nationality.
What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose this?
My environmental advocacy is to restore and cultivate the forests, grasslands, wetlands and watersheds so that we can preserve their beauty and ecosystems. By keeping these areas of land and water clean, we are protecting the biodiversity that call these habitats their home. Biodiversity is essential for maintaining a flourishing environment we rely on every day for food, oxygen and a planet to call home.
What tip can you share to promote eco-tourism in your City or Municipality?
My tip for how to promote ecotourism is to use social media. The Philippines already has a wide array of ecotourism opportunities, so by using social media, we can utilize their platforms to educate foreigners about our multiple opportunities and make them aware of what we stand for and are working towards, which is environmental protection. Let us take advantage of something that already reaches thousands to millions of people across the world for the greater good.
