A lot had been said about Miss Earth lately and I feel that as the founder and Overall Coordinator of Missosology, we should make our stand about the pageant clear. I don't want to make it a tit for tat but because the general public wants to know our stand, we did what we have to do. I just wish that people should respect our opinion in as much that I want to urge everyone else to respect any counter views. We don't have to agree on everything and that is fine so long we respect each other. I think Miss Universe 2011 2nd runner-up Priscilla Machado said it best - a primeira qualidade de um ser humano é respeitar.

But amid all the mud slinging and name calling, maybe we should examine the essence of Miss Earth or in general, the essence of all Big4 pageants. Because behind all the competition and all the crazy fans is the core purpose that drives the Big4 pageants. That core purpose enables each of the Big4 Pageants to transcend race, political boundaries, religion and individual differences. For Miss Earth it is about the care of the environment. Let's forget for a moment about how the Miss Earth production or finals night sucks. Or that Miss World picked the wrong winner. Think instead how many young children suffering from filial elephantiasis that a Miss World contestant had helped. Or instead think about Miss World Indonesia Ines Putri in her quest to spread education in rural Indonesia.

That is why, I was personally moved by a video of Tamerin Jardine when she appeared in a top rated South African morning show called Espresso on SABC, post-Miss Earth finals. Tamerin is a lady whom Missosology predicted to win the crown. But she remained in the Top 8. I personally think she would have been a great Miss Earth titleholder. Anyway, Tamerin could have shown contempt against Miss Earth or reveal some allegations or disparage Lorraine Schuck. Instead, Tamerin defined the essence of being a Miss Earth and even though she did not win the crown, she wholeheartedly explained her duties and responsibilities of a national titleholder. She told the whole South Africa what Miss Earth does and what it intends to achieve.

With the forces of negativity so prevalent in the 2012 pageantry season, I do hope that the 2013 will be a different one. Watching the video of Tamerin makes me personally believe that what we did - retaining Miss Earth in Big4 Rankings - is the right thing to do. I just hope that those who do not agree with Missosology, should respect us instead of calling us derogatory and demeaning names.