Karla Henry - Early Life

Early Life

Henry was raised by her grandparents until the age of four. Her family moved then to Tsawwassen, Canada, where they lived for ten years. She visited the Philippines frequently, for Christmas and summer vacations. Upon her family’s return to the Philippines, they first lived in Albay, Bicol for a year before residing permanently in Cebu.

Henry's father traveled often, and she transferred schools often. She graduated high school from Camp Lapulapu National High School, and attended college at the University of Cebu. She holds a bachelor's degree in Tourism and was working with Marco Polo Plaza Hotel when she was invited to join the Miss Earth pageant. She speaks Spanish with a degree of fluency.

Henry's beauty pageant career began as a student representative her school for Miss Intramurals and Miss Milo Olympics. She joined her first professional beauty contest at age 17 in October 2003. In 2006, she was the second runner-up in the Miss Cebu pageant.

At 22 years of age, statuesque beauty Karla Henry learned that in life, you have to follow what you want; and never should you let other people tell you otherwise. “Because if I did, then I wouldn’t have joined Miss Philippines after Binibining Pilipinas,” she smiles sheepishly. Yet even after failing to bring home the crown at the latter pageant, Karla did her best to clinch the top title in the Miss Philippines. Henry again competed at the Miss Philippines Earth pageant representing Cebu City. She made it to the initial cut of ten semi-finalists and competed in the traditional swimsuit, interview, and evening gown competitions. She advanced to the top six in the final question and answer round. At the conclusion of the pageant, she was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2008 by the outgoing titleholder Jeanne Angeles Harn. She went on to compete in the Miss Earth pageant and was eventually crowned Miss Earth 2008 after besting 84 other candidates from around the world. “I told myself that if I like joining pageants, I want to reach the ultimate goal which is to represent my country. So I worked very hard for it. I joined many pageants for more experience and I also trained on the side. But of course, I did not forget to have fun,” says Karla, the first Filipina to win the title.

Growing up with her dad and considering him as the biggest influence in her life, Karla reveals that never in her wildest dreams did she think she would become a beauty queen. She looks back and shares, “When my parents separated when I was 13, I stayed with my father. So I grew up with basketball and baseball. I am not so much of a girly girl.” It was in fourth year high school that her P.E. teacher asked her to represent the school in a pageant. “I asked my teacher what’s in it for me if I would join the contest. He said that I would be exempted from CAT and during that time, CAT wasn’t very fun for me.” And so she agreed to join and never looked back.

Nine years ago, she moved to the Philippines from Canada. It wasn’t easy for this lovely lady but she acknowledges that life has been very kind to her. Before joining pageants, she had a 9-to-5 job as an hotelier in Cebu. She then moved to Manila to participate in beauty contests.