A video of Herlene Budol taking part in a Question & Answer segment of this year’s Miss Grand PH pageant has gone viral on social media.
There, she is seen being asked to cite qualifications she might possess, apart from simply having a huge social media following, that make her worthy of the Miss Grand PH title.
Her first answer: “Thank you for that looong question for me...Charoz...I have a big followers because I have a big heart! O, English yun, ha?”
“Ano nga ulit yung tanong?”
“I think this is the right time. Last year siguro po hindi ko oras. Ang sabi nga ng adbokasiya ng Miss Grand is, ano ba yun? World peace and...stop the war and peace...and since I was young (giggles) -- ang sarap mag English -- naranasan ko pong ma-bully sa eskwelahan, mabugbog sa tahanan, at dumayo sa ibang bansa bilang... ay! Dumayo sa ibang bansa, natutukan ng tatlong baril na talagang armalite at naging isang dayuhan. Para sa akin ang solid ng experience na yun. Ayaw ko ma experience ng iba yon!
"Kaya bilang Miss Grand, sisimulan ko sa aking experience na ipalaganap sa ibang tao na huwag matakot. Kahit anong pinagdaanan ng mga tao na nakangiti, may katuturan yun. At ikaw ang magiging lakas ng ibang tao upang...maging lakas. Hindi ko ma-explain e...sana po nasagot ko.”
While some thought it cute that she handled it in a laid-back, extemporaneous manner – at one point asking someone from the crowd to answer a ringing phone – there are others who thought her actions unbecoming, ill-mannered, if downright offensive.
Some of the comments:
“Bravo! Love her unrehearsed, very human answer!”
“I think this should be the new beauty queen representation we should aspire for. Very down to earth.”
“Ang tanong: Nasagot nga ba niya ang tanong? Parang lutang naman e. Ang layo!”
“Wala akong naintindihan actually. Parang bangag lang si Herlene...”
“Napakasensitibo naman ng mga fans dito! E di kayo na sumali!”
“I love her sincere, candid ways. Herlene all the way!”
“Kung di kaya wag nang ipilit. Mag comedy ka nalang day!”
“Ito ipapadala natin sa ibang bansa? Ok lang na di marunong mag-English pero sana may sense. Kalokah!”
The video has since earned more than a million views on Facebook.