Geline Salac

The Philippines' Gabbi Carballo in her Sierra Madre-inspired national costume (left), and newly crowned Miss Eco International Palmira Ruiz of Mexico. Photos from the Facebook pages of Carballo and Miss Eco International

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779491978070PH-MEXICO.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">The Philippines&#x27; Gabbi Carballo in her Sierra Madre-inspired national costume (left), and newly crowned Miss Eco International Palmira Ruiz of Mexico. Photos from the Facebook pages of Carballo and Miss Eco International </span></span></span></div><p>Gabbi Carballo fell short of a back-to-back victory for the Philippines in Miss Eco International, but she nevertheless made her country proud.</p><p>The Cebuana beauty queen finished her journey in the Top 21, with Palmira Ruiz of Mexico proclaimed as Miss Eco International 2026 after besting more than 60 candidates. </p><p>The environment-focused pageant was held in Egypt on Friday, May 22 (Saturday, May 23 in the Philippines), and was streamed live for audiences around the world. </p><p>Ruiz was crowned by <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2026/1/13/miss-eco-international-alexie-brooks-honored-to-be-un-youth-goodwill-ambassador-1501">Alexie Brooks</a>, who won the Philippines&#x27; third Miss Eco International title last year.</p><p>Her runners-up include delegates from Ukraine, Australia, Indonesia, and Brazil. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779492041307Miss Eco International.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Miss Eco International 2026 Palmira Ruiz with Brooks (second from left) and her runners-up. Miss Eco International/Facebook</span></span></span></div><p>Before passing her crown, Brooks expressed gratitude to the people who helped her &quot;become the woman that I am today,&quot; recalling her humble beginnings.</p><p>She added that her win was not just about herself: &quot;This win is for every woman out there who was told that they&#x27;re not good enough, that they&#x27;re not pretty enough, or that they can never be who they want to be. I want you to know that we as women can do so many things if we work with each other.&quot;</p><p>Addressing her successor, Brooks went on: &quot;I hope that you carry this crown with integrity. I hope that you carry the story of every woman who has walked this stage. Know that this is more than just about you — this is for every woman out there, and this is for the environment.&quot;</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779489433528Screenshot 2026-05-23 063644.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Miss Eco International 2025 Alexie Brooks of the Philippines delivers a speech before passing her crown. Miss Eco International/YouTube</span></span></span>During the Miss Eco International 2026 pageant, Carballo donned a national costume inspired by Sierra Madre, the longest mountain range in the Philippines that serves as a natural barrier against typhoons. </div><p>&quot;As someone from Cebu who has experienced the fear and trauma brought by devastating storms, this costume is deeply personal to me,&quot; the beauty queen said in an Instagram post.</p><p>&quot;This costume is a tribute to nature&#x27;s quiet strength and a reminder that when we destroy our forests and ecosystems, we destroy the very things protecting us,&quot; she added. </p><p>&quot;May we learn to protect nature the same way it has always protected us.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYpnHqNT6_p/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A307953.2000002861%2C%22ls%22%3A307586.59999990463%2C%22le%22%3A307936.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="511" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYpvCeLzRu8/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A329029.09999990463%2C%22ls%22%3A307586.59999990463%2C%22le%22%3A307936.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="511" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Carballo, who was aiming to replicate Brooks&#x27; title win, has been making waves as early as the Miss Eco International preliminary competition. </p><p>She <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2026/5/21/ph-s-gabbi-carballo-wins-top-model-award-in-miss-eco-international-prelims-1106">won the Top Model award</a> after showing poise and confidence on stage in a green dress during the evening gown round.</p><p>Carballo also placed in the Top 15 of the Eco Dress segment where she wore a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2026/5/21/dress-inspired-by-binaliw-landslide-in-cebu-graces-miss-eco-international-stage-1321">costume inspired by the Binaliw landslide in Cebu</a>, shining a spotlight on the devastating consequences of environmental neglect.</p><p>Throughout her journey, she has been using her platform to push for sustainable tourism while also showcasing the Philippines. </p><p>&quot;Tourism must do more than just inspire us,&quot; she said in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2026/3/17/ph-s-gabbi-carballo-pushes-for-sustainable-tourism-in-miss-eco-international-1549">her intro video for the pageant</a>. &quot;It must protect what it celebrates.&quot;</p><div><strong>SPECIAL AWARDS</strong></div><p>Miss Eco Asia: Vietnam</p><p>Miss Eco Africa: Nigeria</p><p>Miss Eco Europe: Finland</p><p>Miss Eco Americas: Colombia</p><p>Miss Eco Oceania: Australia</p><p>Best in National Costume: Colombia</p><div><strong>TOP 5</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><p>Brazil</p><p>Mexico</p><p>Indonesia</p><p>Australia</p><p>Ukraine</p><div><strong>TOP 10</strong></div><p>Ukraine</p><p>Australia</p><p>Malaysia</p><p>Mexico</p><p>Indonesia</p><p>Chile</p><p>Brazil</p><p>Colombia</p><p>Nigeria</p><p>Nepal</p><div><strong>TOP 21</strong></div><p>Malaysia</p><p>Colombia</p><p>Brazil</p><p>Chile</p><p>Nigeria</p><p>Mexico</p><p>Finland</p><p>Philippines</p><p>Australia</p><p>USA</p><p>Peru </p><p>Vietnam</p><p>Nepal</p><p>India</p><p>Netherlands</p><p>Jamaica</p><p>China</p><p>Ukraine</p><p>France</p><p>Thailand</p><p>Indonesia</p>

<p>​Gabbi Carballo was unable to score a back-to-back victory for the Philippines in Miss Eco International, but she nevertheless made her country proud.</p>

​Gabbi Carballo was unable to score a back-to-back victory for the Philippines in Miss Eco International, but she nevertheless made her country proud.

Mexico wins Miss Eco International 2026; PH's Gabbi Carballo finishes in Top 21

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Mexico wins Miss Eco International 2026; PH's Gabbi Carballo finishes in Top 21

ABS-CBN News

Published May 23, 2026 07:22 AM PHT

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