Cynthia Thomalla, who is set to compete against more than 70 representatives from all over the world at the Miss Eco International 2018 in Egypt, said during her send-off ceremony that she fully supported the government’s decision to close down Boracay temporarily to undergo rehabilitation.
The 22-year-old Filipino-German beauty from Southern Leyte hoped that those to be affected by the closure will be provided with alternative livelihood programs by the local government to help them carry through. She also expressed the need for tourists to be responsible and respectful of the environment and places that they would visit.
Thomalla, a dead ringer for Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway, is a model under Cebu’s Origin Model Management and has a degree in Tourism and Event Management. The youngest of four siblings, Thomalla was born in Germany to a German father and moved to her mother’s hometown in Macrohon when she was nine.
Miss Eco International 2018, now on its 4th edition, is touted as the biggest beauty pageant in the Middle East with the winner to work with the United Nations as an environment ambassador. Local franchise national director Arnold Vegafria expressed confidence of a Thomalla victory to follow on her batchmate Winwyn Marquez and Sophia Senoron’s title conquest at Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 in Bolivia and Miss Multinational 2018 in India, respectively.
Candidates to Miss Eco International 2018 will be treated to a tour of Egypt’s historic spots including Alexandria’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Elmontaza Park, Calimera Habiba Eco Resort in Marsa Alam, Wadi Elgemal protected area, and Luxor’s Karnak and Hatshepsut temples. Miss Eco International 2018 coronation finals will be held at the Cairo Opera House in Zamalek, Egypt on April 27 where reigning titlist Amber Bernachi of Canada will pass on her crown.
