Yllana Aduana

Yllana Marie Singin Aduana (; born July 7, 1998) is a Filipino model, medical laboratory scientist, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Earth – Air 2023. Aduana was previously crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2023, where she became the country's representative to the Miss Earth 2023 pageant, later held in Vietnam.

Early life

Aduana was born on July 7, 1998, in Siniloan, Laguna. She was educated as a consistent scholar, and graduated from Centro Escolar University with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 2018, later passing the Medical Technologist Licensure Examination in the same year. In 2018, she started a skin care business, formulating and blending all of the products herself using only natural ingredients. She had also worked as a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines.

Pageantry

Miss Philippines Earth 2021

On May 25, 2021, Aduana was announced to be one of the 68 delegates competing at Miss Philippines Earth 2021. At the virtual pageant held on August 8, 2021, Aduana finished as a runner-up. Naelah Alshorbaji of Parañaque won the pageant.

Miss FIT Philippines 2021 and Binibining Pilipinas 2022

Aduana competed at Miss FIT Philippines 2021, held in September 2021. At the pageant, Aduana emerged as the winner, being crowned by her predecessor Malka Shaver.

While Miss FIT Philippines, Aduana was announced as one of the 40 candidates competing at Binibining Pilipinas 2022, representing her home province of Laguna. On the coronation night, Aduana won the Face of Binibini award. Later, Aduana was named as one of the top 12 finalists. At the question-and-answer portion, she was asked "What are your thoughts and sentiments on the advocacy my body, my choice?". She responded:

Aduana finished in the top 12; Nicole Borromeo, Chelsea Fernandez, Gabrielle Basiano, and Roberta Tamondong went on to win the pageant. At the end of her reign as Miss FIT Philippines, she crowned Jackelaine Fleming of Calbayog, as her successor.

Miss Philippines Earth 2023

On April 5, 2023, Aduana was announced to be one of the 29 delegates competing at Miss Philippines Earth 2023, representing Siniloan. In an interview with the ''Philippine Entertainment Portal'', she stated that she had joined the pageant again to promote her environmental causes. She also declared the pageant would be her last.

In pre-pageant events, Aduana won the Darling of the Press award, and was third in the talent competition.

At the pageant, Aduana wore a dress designed by Ken Batino that was decorated by 5,000 safety pins. At the final question and answer round, she was asked "What do you think people in the future would say about your generation?". She replied:

At the end of the pageant, Aduana was named as the winner, and was crowned by outgoing titleholder Jenny Ramp, as Miss Philippines Earth 2023. As Miss Philippines Earth, Aduana participated in various advocacy work. Shortly after her crowning, Aduana joined a clean-up drive at Sulat, Eastern Samar, on May 13, 2023. On June 30, 2023, Aduana participated in an Arbor Day bootcamp at Quezon City. On July 5, 2023, Aduana spoke at the United Nations climate meet, becoming the first Filipino beauty queen to do so.

Miss Earth 2023

As Miss Philippines Earth, Aduana served as the delegate of the Philippines at the Miss Earth 2023 pageant. In pre-pageant activities, Aduana placed in the Top 5 for Best Appearance and spoke on behalf of the delegates of Asia and Oceania in the Eco Project segment of the pageant.

During the preliminary rounds, Aduana wore a skin-bearing turquoise gown made of recycled zippers designed by Batino. For the National Costume round, Aduana wore a Partick Isorena ensemble inspired by the mythological figure Maria Makiling. On December 20, Aduana was announced as the winner for the Best in Bikini award.

At the pageant proper, Aduana ultimately advanced to the Top 4, where the finalists where asked if they agreed with an official at a "recent climate conference" who was quoted as "there is no science behind coals for the phaseout of fossil fuels". She responded:

At the end of the pageant, Aduana was crowned as Miss Earth – Air 2023, succeeding Sheridan Mortlock of Australia. Drita Ziri of Albania was the winner of the pageant.

Advocacies and platforms

Aduana and her sister founded Edukasyon for Every Juan, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote environmental education.

Aduana has expressed her support for the Menstrual Leave Act, which aims to give women two-day menstrual leave. She added that the proposal would encourage economic growth.

Personal life

In an interview with ''Inquirer'', Aduana revealed that she suffered from bulimia nervosa, and credits her participation in Miss FIT Philippines in helping her recover from the disorder.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aduana, Yllana
1998 births
Living people
Filipino female models
21st-century Filipino women
21st-century beauty pageant contestants
Miss Earth 2023 contestants
Binibining Pilipinas contestants
Miss Philippines Earth winners
People from Laguna (province)
Centro Escolar University alumni