Bound by blood, United by purpose: The story of Kalinga’s first and latest Miss Philippines Earth representatives

FEATURE

“...seeing another representative from Kalinga, I felt really proud and happy for Natasha and for our beloved Kalinga.” — Glennifer Perido-Rinkinen, Miss Philippines Earth-Air 2012

Who would have thought that more than a decade after Kalinga first stepped onto the Miss Philippines Earth stage, its first and latest representatives would be revealed to share not only a passion for advocacy, but also family ties and the same profession in the medical field?

Former Miss Philippines Earth representative Glennifer Perido-Rinkinen and Miss Philippines Earth 2026 candidate Natasha Batac are both connected to families from Pinukpuk, Kalinga and are registered nurses, making their connection even more meaningful to supporters and fellow iKalingas.

Twelve years after becoming Kalinga's first representative in the prestigious Miss Philippines Earth pageant in 2012, Glennifer expressed excitement over the participation of fellow iKalinga beauty Natasha Batac in the 2026 national competition.

Glennifer, now 36, is married and traces her roots to Tangtangan and Allaguia, Pinukpuk. She represented Tabuk City, Kalinga in Miss Philippines Earth 2012, where she earned the title of Miss Philippines Earth-Air 2012. She later joined Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 and was crowned Miss Tourism Metropolitan International 2014–2015.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Glennifer shared that seeing another representative from Kalinga on the national stage after more than a decade filled her with pride.

"Finally! Another iKalinga beauty ready to take the national stage and showcase the beauty and culture of our beloved Kalinga. MPE is very close to my heart! And seeing another representative from Kalinga shine on that stage means a lot to me and just really makes me happy!" she said.

She also revealed that she and Natasha are blood relatives, making the moment even more meaningful not only for their family but also for Kalinga as a whole. According to Glennifer, she first learned about Natasha's participation through the official Miss Philippines Earth page and immediately felt happy and proud.

Although she has not yet personally spoken with Natasha, Glennifer said she is confident the young beauty queen will make Kalinga proud and inspire more young iKalinga women to view pageantry not only as a competition but also as a platform for advocacy, personal growth, and cultural representation.

Looking back on her own journey, the iPinukpuk beauty recalled that what stood out most were the environmental initiatives centered on sustainability. She said these experiences made her pageant journey both memorable and meaningful.

"What I truly loved about MPE was its purpose and advocacy. We traveled across the Philippines participating in tree-planting activities, clean-up drives, and learning about renewable energy and sustainability. We also regularly visited schools to teach and inspire young children to care for Mother Earth, and those experiences were meaningful and unforgettable for me," she said.

She also emphasized the importance of Indigenous and provincial representation in national pageants, saying it gives different cultures and communities across the country the opportunity to be recognized and celebrated.

When asked how she views iKalinga women, Glennifer described them as strong, resilient, and naturally caring—qualities she believes shine through wherever they go.

With Glennifer leaving a positive mark as Kalinga's first Miss Philippines Earth representative, Natasha now carries both the pride and responsibility of continuing that legacy on the national stage. Many are hopeful that she will follow the same path of grace, advocacy, and excellence while once again bringing honor to Kalinga.