RODER
DAVAO CITY – Miss Earth Australia 2025 Alexa Heather Ladao Roder paid a courtesy visit to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Davao City Chapter and the Davao City Hall of Justice and discussed with legal community members initiatives on legal aid and environmental advocacy.
Roder, a Davao City native currently completing her Bachelor of Laws in Australia, met IBP-Davao City Chapter President Atty. Ferdinand Taglucop.
They tackled expanding legal aid for Davaoeños and exploring ways to improve access to justice.
At the Davao City Hall of Justice, Roder met Judge Maria Cecelia Esperanza Braceros-Agbon of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 7, which handles environmental cases, and Judge January Faye Risonar-Bello of MTCC Branch 13.
They discussed the role of environmental laws in promoting sustainability and emphasized the shared responsibility of legal practitioners in protecting natural resources.
Roder said that her visit was significant. Following her mother’s footsteps as a lawyer, Roder said she is pursuing a legal career in Australia while actively advocating for environmental causes.
“My goal is to bridge my passions for law and environmental advocacy,” Roder said, noting that her Miss Earth platform allows her to promote awareness and action across borders. Her Davao trip is ahead of the Miss Earth competition, where she will represent Australia.
She reconnected with her Filipino roots and visited the Bagobo Tagabawa Indigenous Peoples communities to learn about their traditions and environmental practices.
Roder toured several local landmarks, including the Mangrove Sanctuary in Astorga, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, to highlight the vital role of mangrove ecosystems in mitigating climate change.
Born to a Filipino mother from Davao City and an Australian father, Roder has Mandaya heritage.
Roder is Executive Legal Assistant at Roder Lawyers and gained experience at the Supreme Court of Brisbane and the Queensland Government’s Legal Inquiry Team.
As Miss Earth Australia 2025, Roder said she aims to use her voice to promote environmental stewardship and community empowerment.
“Protecting the environment begins with awareness, but it must lead to action,” Roder said. “Through law and collaboration, we can build a sustainable future for all.”