Sandra Seifert

Biography

Seifert (also known by the nickname "Schazee") was born on February 1, 1984 in Taipei, Taiwan. She is the daughter of Zenaida Suravilla of Bacolod City and Harald Seifert of Germany, who are now based in Manila.

Seifert attended elementary school at Montessori and St. Scholastica’s Academy in Bacolod City, and returned to Manila to complete middle school at the European International School, Manila (former Eurocampus), where she graduated Valedictorian, the highest rank among the graduating class. After attending Eurocampus, she continued her high school education at Brent International School in Biñan, Laguna. Seifert moved to New York where she excelled as a "straight A" student at the City University of New York and obtained her Nursing Degree. She participated in several extra-curricular activities; Seifert was elected President of the International Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa for the New York Chapter. She also extended her assistance as a tutor for other Nursing students, and as a Note-Taker for Students with Disabilities. She represented her college during the Salzburg Seminar in Austria, and was nominated as an exemplary student by the President of her college, which eventually led to her appearance on the City University of New York print ad in 2008. That same year, Seifert passed the New York Nursing Board Examination (NCLEX).

Seifert plays basketball and volleyball. She is also into competitive swimming; she won the silver medal during the swimming competition of the South-East Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia, representing her school.

Seifert speaks four languages fluently: German, English, Filipino, and French. She also speaks a Filipino native language Hiligaynon (informally known as Ilonggo), an Austronesian language spoken in Western Visayas in the Philippines. In addition, she has basic knowledge of Spanish and Italian languages.

Early career

Seifert was first discovered by a talent scout/make-up artist at the age of 14. After only a few castings, Seifert received a call to join her first fashion show for a French eyewear company.

In 1998 she joined the Philippines' Elite Model Search where she won the Viva Look of the Year title and represented the Philippines in the international Elite Model Look Search, which was held in Nice, France.

Seifert was part of the Colgate Mintirinse ad campaign "Minti Cool" along with Anne Curtis and Aubrey Vizcarra. When Colgate decided to have a remake of that ad campaign a few years later, Michael Seifert (Sandra Seifert's brother) appeared as the male lead role alongside the new cast.

She was a muse for two Philippine Basketball Association teams, a professional basketball league in the Philippines: Red Bull in 2002 and FedEx in 2003. An avid basketball player herself, she also played for her school's women's team.

Seifert has done several national and international advertising commercials and graced many of Manila's hottest fashion shows including Philippine Fashion Week, Speedo, Benetton, Lancôme, and Bulgari Jewelry. While seen in ample fashion shoots, Seifert has written articles for magazines, well- tackling social awareness issues. In addition, she has been visible in numerous print ads and appeared on magazine covers including MEGA, Speed, and A&F. However, it was through her hosting job in the late night show "Master Showman," that she gained much recognition and popularity all over the Philippines. Aside from Master Showman, she also hosted the now defunct television show Campus Video with co-host Derek Ramsey. Her hosting opportunities were soon followed by traveling in and out of the Philippines as she signed up with a Thailand-based modeling agency.

Miss Philippines Earth 2009

Seifert, a vegetarian, won the Miss Philippines-Earth 2009, the 9th edition of the "beauty for a cause" pageant. She bested 49 other contestants representing various Filipino communities in the beauty contest that promotes environmental awareness. The event was broadcast by ABS-CBN in the Philippines and by The Filipino Channel internationally. She was crowned by the outgoing titleholder, Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, on May 10, 2009 at The Arena Entertainment and Recreational Center of the People, San Juan City.

Seifert was the most popular and favorite candidate by pageant enthusiasts to win the Binibining Pilipinas pageant in March 2009, but was disqualified two days before the proclamation night for having posed in a men’s magazine in 2007 wearing a two-piece-swimsuit.

Seifert was also an early favorite in the Miss Philippines Earth 2009 pageant, collecting four special citations: Best in Cultural Costume, Miss RCBC E-Woman, Gandang Ricky Reyes and Best in Swimsuit. Seifert’s white "Pearl of the Orient" gown, a modern interpretation of the terno (a long dress in the Philippines characterized by broad “butterfly” sleeves that rise slightly at the shoulders and extend about to the elbow) featuring a feathered mask and layered Spanish lace embellished in crystals, beads, and pearls was designed by Frederick Peralta. She won P250,000, plus other prizes, and represented the Philippines in the Miss Earth pageant later that year.

In answer to a question from a fellow candidate during the selection of top 5 finalists, Seifert believes that in "Negros Occidental the principal problem is that there is no waste segregation, it is a problem because it is inevitable that we all produce waste; out of 13 cities only three of the cities right now are practicing solid waste management. We need to cover 10 more and 19 more municipalities. Let’s not sit back and relax,” she said, as she stressed the need to take care of Mother Nature.

She also impressed the judges during the final question and answer portion of the pageant with her answer to the final question “With global environment changing, what would you like to change in yourself that will make you a better pro-environment person?" Seifert said: “When I joined Miss Earth I became aware of the things I can do as a Filipino and as a citizen of the world. I would like to share this awareness with more people, whether on a personal level or through the media. I want to make a difference in every little way I can.” She nailed the competition with her answer.

Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco said Negrenses welcomed her success in the pageant. On May 25, 2006, she paid a courtesy call on Governor Zayco at the Provincial Capitol and met with mayors and board members of Negros Occidental province.

Miss Philippines Earth activities

Miss Philippines Earth Sandra Seifert of Negros Occidental and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2009 Grizelda Adelantar of Victorias City visited the Biodiversity Conservation Center of the Negros Forest Ecological Foundation Inc., home to about 100 rescued endangered birds and animals that include rare warty pigs, leopard cats, and bleeding heart pigeons in Bacolod City and fed Eva, a Visayan spotted deer (Cervus alfredi), endemic to the Visayan islands. Seifert and Adelantar pledged to promote the preservation of endangered wildlife, many of which are found on Negros Island.