 • The number of participants who competed for Miss Earth 2008 decreased for the first time in the pageant history, breaking 7-year streak of participation increase from 2001 to 2007.
However, Miss Earth 2008 edition remained to be the second highest turn out of delegates after 2007.
• For the first time in any pageants, the Miss Earth Press Presentation was held later in the middle of pageant activities instead of around the first week.
• The Rebublic Kosovo has sent its national beauty pageant winner for the first time in any of the major international pageants, after the Assembly of Kosovo declared independence in February 2008. Kosovo also participated in the Miss Universe 2008, but its representative was appointed by the franchise holder. Kosovo also participated in Miss Earth 2002 and 2003 as a territory prior to its declaration of indpendence.
• This year, all four constituent countries of the United Kingdom are represented.
• The sight of seeing the two Congos competing together for the first time in a Major Four pageant. The bigger one is Democratic Republic of Congo with Kinshasa as its capital which from 1971-1996 was actually named Zaire, and the smaller one is the Republic of Congo with Brazzaville as its capital.
• Venezuela won Best in Long Gown award for the second time.
• For the first time, Mexico won Best in Swimsuit.
• Panama won Best in National Costume award for the second time.
• Philippines won Miss Photogenic award for the third time.
• The welcome debut of Bhutan and Rwanda in the Big Four pageants.
Debuts : Bhutan, Congo D.R., Guam, Luxembourg, Malta, Rwanda, Scotland, Serbia and South Sudan sent their first ever delegates to Miss Earth this year.
Returning Countries and Territories : Turkey last competed in 2001. Hungary and Kosovo, last competed in 2003. Jamaica last competed in 2005. Greece, Honduras, Pakistan, Panama, Russia and Tahiti last competed in 2006.
Withdraws : Belize, Cameroon, Denmark, Fiji, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nepal, Niue, Norway, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, St. Lucia, Tibet, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, US Virgin Islands, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe competed last year but not this year.
• Harshita Saxena surrendered her Miss India Earth title, paving way for Tanvi Vyas, who is now the new Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2008. Tanvi represented India in Miss Earth. Harshita Saxena, who was the original winner, has landed in trouble for breaching contract with her previous modeling agency Gladrags. Gladrags President Maureen Wadia claimed that Harshita had no authority to participate in any other beauty contest, without permission.
• Debby Gommeren of Beligum was a replacement of Barbara van den Bussche, the original winner for an unknown reason.
• Wendy Cordero (Costa Rica) previously competed at Miss World 2007 and Miss Continente Americano 2008 but did not place.
• Thelma Rodríguez (Nicaragua) previously competed at Miss Universe 2008 but did not place.
• Kidan Tesfahun (Ethiopia) also competed at Miss Tourism Queen International 2008 in China.
• Maria Daniela Torrealba (Venezuela) represented Trujillo state in the Miss Venezuela 2006 pageant but unplaced.
Photo by Dondi Nolasco : Miss Earth 2008 delegates from England and New Zealand Caroline Duffy and Rachel Crofts |
