Herlene Budol is bidding pageantry adieu.
This was announced by the model-actress, herself, via a recent video.
On her YouTube channel, the GMA star broke down talking about her recent stint at Miss Grand Philippines 2023, where she was crowned as Miss Tourism Philippines 2023.
She said: “Nakakatatlong pageant na pero hindi pa rin po puwede. Ibig sabihin, huwag na natin ngang ipilit. Ibig sabihin po nun, ako po si Herlene Nicole Budol na nagsasabing, ‘Sorry, Pilipinas. This is my last pageant. Ba-bye. Herlene Nicole Budol, I’m signing off.’”
Herlene then burst into tears.
“Hindi po ako umaarte, nasasaktan po ako - sabi ko hindi ako iiyak. Nasasaktan po ako kasi parang totoo po lahat ng sinasabi niyo na pinipilit ko lang po talaga na sumali, na hindi ko po deserve," she said.
The 28-year-old reiterated that she just wanted to fulfill her dream.
"Nagsusubok lang po ako. Nagsusubok lang po ako na abutin yung pangrap ko na magkaroon po ako ng crown at ma-represent ko po yung Pilipinas. Pero hindi ko po pala kaya siguro. Kaya yan siguro yung panahon, tadhana na yung nagsasabi sa akin na: 'Huy, tama na Herlene! Gumising ka sa katotohnana, hindi mo kayang i-represent ang Pilipinas!,'" she related.
Herlene then extended an apology, as well as, expressed gratitude.
"Kaya humihingi po ako ng sorry sa inyong lahat. Sa lahat po ng mga taong sumusuporta po sa akin, thank you so much po kayo po yung dahilan kung bakit po ako nandito," she said. "Sa mga may ayaw po sa akin, titigil na po ako. Hindi ko na po ipipilit yung sarili ko.”
Meanwhile, in the same clip, Herlene also set things straight in relation to the sudden resignation of Wilbert Tolentino as her manager.
She stressed: “May mga bagay lang po dapat mas unahin at i-priority talaga — ang kanyang health at kanyang family.”
Despite this, Herlene assured her supporters all is well between her and Wilbert. In fact, she pointed out how the latter even promised to still help her career.
“At base pa rin po sa pag-uusap namin, willing pa rin po niya akong tulungan at nandiyan pa rin naman po siya anytime, anywhere, one call away…,” was how she put it.
She then capped off the video thanking Wilbert.
“Lahat ng nakikita niyo sa akin, head to foot, bahay at lupa, crown, YouTube, cellphone, alahas, endorsements… Lahat ng yan si Sir Wilbert ang nagbigay sa akin,” she declared.
“I love so much, Mima. Kulang ang salitang salamat sa lahat ng effort, oras, at pagmamahal na binigay niyo sa akin. Walang hanggang pasasalamat at walang hanggang pagmamahal ang kaya kong ibalik. Utang na loob ko lahat ng meron ho ako. I love you. Never say goodbye.”