First Ms. Earth Philippines-Australia crowned in Sydney

Sydney's Filipino community filled up the main auditorium of the Rooty Hill RSL for the first Miss Earth Philippines-Australia pageant.

The five finalists prepared to battle it out in style, all in the name of the environment.

This is the pageant's first run in Australia.

"We just want the girls to be more aware and to be the advocate for the environment…to be out there and to tell people what to do like how to save energy, water, things like that. And it should start from home," said Pauline Peralta, CEO Franchising Miss Earth Philippines-Australia.

Bing Cristobal, representative for Carousel Productions said they are involved in “preserving and conserving environmental awareness, especially now that we have problems like global warming."

Global warming was the hot topic of the night.

Finalist Tanya Louise Hendy gave her thoughts on how to help the environment.

"Simple things like turning off your light switch or recycling properly. These things can make a huge difference," Hendy said.

Meanwhile, Catherine Loyola said "I strongly urge everyone here to do their part in the fight against global warming".

Loyola, a 23-year- old social work graduate from the University of Sydney was crowned Miss Earth Philippines-Australia.

Loyola will represent the Filipino-Australian community in the Miss Earth Philippines 2009 pageant in Manila in May.