I was fortunate enough to be in Boracay for the Miss Earth event. However, I was not fortunate enough to get a photographer pass 
Mind you, I was competing with Reuters and other news agencies! 
I got a spot on the balcony which proved to be okay for most shots with my 200mm lens. With the lighting conditions at the event, you had to have a F2.8 or faster lens. I worked in manual the whole time and mostly shot at ISO 800, 1/160 sec, F2.8. For wider group shots, I shot at F5.6. I later found an ISO 640 combination that worked well enough. I had to be quite careful with my shutter speed even though I was shooting with a monopod.
I was later told that I was seen on the TV broadcast with my camera! 
Here are some pics from the event…
The wider group of contestants in swim suites.
Miss Northern Ireland.
The contestants being selected for the next round. Miss South Africa is in this frame who went to the final 16.
The presenters with some entertainers...
Miss Brazil looking straight at the TV camera!
Miss Earth 2008 (Miss Philippines).
A whole section of the show had entertainers while the judges worked out the next round of contestants.
The entertainment was very good!
I pushed my shutter speed to 1/200 sec for these action sequences.
Miss Northern Ireland made it to the final 8.
Miss Philippines. The crowd of filipinos went wild every time she came on stage!
Miss South Africa. Unfortunately, she did not make it to the final 8.
Miss Bahamas putting on a show of her musical talents.
Miss Brazil won the contest and is now Miss Earth. In this photo, Miss Earth 2008 has just handed over the crown. In second place, Miss Philippines (Miss Air), in third place was Miss Venezuela (Miss Water). In forth place was Miss Spain (Miss Fire).
These are very nice Gwyn, you did extremely well…:-)
Thanks Barry! I’m so glad I took my monopod!!!
Great again Gwyn! you are enjoying yourself bigtime !
There must be loads of pretty girls on the Island .
Thanks Steve! I’m having a great time! Feel like I’m really chilling out! Walked to the top of White Beach today. I must do it early in the morning to get those really great blue colours!