Home 
BACOLOD CITY?Miss Philippine Earth 2009 Sandra Seifert, a Filipina-German model who represented Negros Occidental at the pageant held in San Juan City Sunday, is a nurse who speaks five languages.
Seifer is the daughter of Zenaida Suravilla of Bacolod City and Harald Seifert of Germany, who are now based in Manila.
Seifert spent her early years in Bacolod City where she completed her nursery and kindergarten years at the Montessori Learning Center and the St. Scholastica's Academy, respectively.
Then, her parents took her to Germany where they lived for five years before they came back to Manila.
She speaks five languages fluently?English, German, French, Tagalog and the Visayan dialect Ilonggo.
She said she also has basic knowledge of Spanish and Italian which she hopes to perfect.
Before she studied to become a nurse, Seifert did modeling jobs in the Philippines, Thailand and China.
Seifert obtained her nursing degree from the Borough of Manhattan College of the City University of New York. She passed the New York nursing board examination in 2008.
?I grew up in Bacolod and wanted to represent the city in the pageant but since it was already represented by (MassKara Queen) Jan (Maricris Vega) I decided to represent Negros Occidental,? Seifert said.
Seifert said her fond memories of Bacolod included going bowling with her family at Goldenfields Commercial Complex, visiting friends and eating native delicacies like ?piayaya? and ?puto lanson,? which is made from grated cassava.
She also said that since she became a vegetarian she eats the Ilonggo vegetable gumbo called ?laswa,? which is made from squash, okra, shrimp, eggplant and some greens.
Gov. Isidro Zayco said Negrenses were happy and proud Seifert won along with Grezilda Adelantar of Victorias City, who was the first runner-up and was named Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism. /INQUIRER
Seifert, who bested 49 other candidates and will represent the Philippines in the Miss Earth 2009 pageant in October, told the INQUIRER Monday that she would come to Negros Occidental as soon as she has fulfilled her commitments in Manila.
She said that during her visit to Negros Occidental, she hoped to learn more about efforts done locally to save the environment so she will be able to speak about them as Miss Philippines Earth.
Since she will be representing the country in the Miss Earth Pageant in October, Seifert said she also intended to travel around the Philippines so she would be adequately prepared.
The Miss Earth-Philippines is a beauty pageant held annually to search for the most beautiful and environmental-friendly woman in the country, the pageant website says.
Miss Earth-Philippines titleholders dedicate their year to promote environmental projects and to address issues concerning the environment.
The winners also serve as the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Program and other environmental organizations.
Seifert said she hoped to tap into television to maximize the campaign for the environment.
She also won the best in swimsuit and cultural attire and the RCBC e-Woman titles in the contest.
Seifert's white Pearl of the Orient gown designed by Frederick Peralta was a modern interpretation of the "terno" featuring a feathered mask and layered Spanish lace embellished in crystals, beads, and pearls. /Inquirer
