BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan – This paradise island, famed for its pristine white sand beaches is the host venue of the 9th Miss Earth (2009) beauty pageant this November.

Organized by Carousel Productions Inc., the beauty pageant will take place on November 22, 2009 at the Boracay Ecovillage and Convention Center, the only mountain resort with the biggest convention center in Barangay Yapak, in Boracay. The convention center can accommodate as much as 3,000 people.

This is the first time that the Miss Earth beauty pageant will be held outside Luzon.

Since 2001, the Miss Earth final night was always held in either Quezon City or Manila.

In terms of number of participants, Miss Earth is the third largest beauty pageant in the world after Miss World and Miss Universe. More than 80 delegates from different countries gather together to vie in the contest and promote environmental projects and take part in projects designed to preserve and protect Mother Earth.

The world beauties will compete in terms of beauty and knowledge of environmental issues and for the Miss Air, Fire and Water beauty titles, with special awards to be given for best in swimsuit, national costume, long gown and Miss Friendship, Miss Photogenic, Miss Talent and Beauty for a Cause award.

The Boracay pageant, themed "Our Place. Our Earth. Our Environment," will be broadcast live on ABS-CBN and in many countries worldwide through The Filipino Channel and other partner networks.

Sandra Siefert of Negros Occidental will represent the country in the upcoming Boracay Miss Earth 2009 pageant.

Last year, the Philippines’ Karla Paula Henry was crowned Miss Earth besting 84 other contestants from all over the world.