| Irha Mel Alfeche | |
| Birth Name: | Irha Mel Inutan Alfeche |
| Height: | 1.73m[1] |
Irha Mel Inutan Alfeche is a Filipino beauty pageant titleholder, who won Miss Philippines Earth 2024 on May 11, 2024, in Talakag, Bukidnon. She is from Matanao, Davao del Sur, making her the second Mindanaoan to win this title since the pageant's inception. Alfeche represented the Philippines at Miss Earth 2024, and placed in the top twelve.
Alfeche's first pageant was in 2019 when she competed in Mutya ng Davao, and was unplaced. Alfeche also entered the regional-level pageant of Miss Philippines Earth in Mindanao in 2022 and 2024, and won the 2024 title.[2] [3]
In her first attempt at Miss Philippines Earth 2020, Alfeche competed virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was unplaced.[2] [4]
Alfeche entered and won Miss Philippines Earth 2024, on May 11, 2024, in Talakag, Bukidnon representing Matanao. She competed against 28 other contestants, and won the gold medal in the swimsuit competition. She advocated for environmental sustainability, mainly through "home gardening", which promoted the "eat green, live green" concept to encourage urban farming and sustainability.[5] [6] [7]
During the final question and answer portion, she highlighted the importance of teaching younger generations about environmental conservation, aligning this with her profession as a special education teacher.[8] [9]
At the beginning of the competition, fans have anticipated the unplacement of Irha. It is noticeable how lacking the support she had received throughout her journey. However, as surprising as it is for others, Irha really did a great job in the pre-judging activities of Miss Earth, and eventually would enter the Top 20 of the competition. As the competition continues bashers were shocked and could not believe that she was able to penetrate into the Top 20, and eventually in the Top 12. Irha did a great job during the evening gown round, wherein she surprised everyone with the magical reveal that she did on the stage.
Alfeche represented the Philippines at Miss Earth 2024, and was placed in the Top 12.
Irha Mel Inutan Alfeche is from Matanao, Davao del Sur. She is a teacher and a military reservist. She is said to be the second delegate of the Philippines to Miss Earth that originated from the island of Mindanao.[10] [2]