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Joy Barcoma breaks silence on Miss Earth coronation snub: 'My presence is no longer needed'
Joy Barcoma breaks silence on Miss Earth coronation snub: 'My presence is no longer needed'
Beauty queen and television host Joy Barcoma has finally addressed the controversy surrounding her absence from the Miss Philippines Earth Grand Coronation, revealing she was told not to fly to the event at the last minute.
Appearing on the recent episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," the former Miss Philippines Earth said she was saddened by what happened but harbors no ill feelings toward the organization, saying she chose to respect its decision.
Joy also cleared up speculation after many pageant fans noticed she did not have the traditional farewell walk marking the end of her reign.
According to Joy, she had already coordinated with the organization's manager for months and had been instructed to book her flights to Bukidnon, where the coronation was held. However, on the day the other queens were scheduled to leave, she received an unexpected message.
"I was told na wag na daw ako tumuloy because my presence is no longer needed," she recalled.
She said she was also informed that there would no longer be a farewell walk for the outgoing queens, prompting her to accept the decision without asking further questions.
"I respected the decision of the organization because it was communicated to me as well na walang magaganap na farewell walk for all queens," she said.
Even so, Joy admitted she was heartbroken, saying every beauty queen looks forward to that symbolic final walk.
"Of course, I was saddened at first kasi parang lahat naman ng beauty queen ayun ang niloolook forward. Ito na yung end of my reign, this is the mark of the end of my responsibilities, my commitment and also my legacy," she shared.
Rather than dwell on the disappointment, Joy said she chose to see it positively, reminding herself that her advocacy did not end with her reign.
She also denied reports that she had breached any contract, saying no such issue was ever communicated to her.
"I don't know because it wasn't communicated with me. Wala talagang conversation between me and the organization na may na-breach akong contract. Ang message lang na nareceive ko... was that I'm no longer needed," she said.
Although she was unable to have her farewell walk during the Miss Philippines Earth coronation, Joy was later given the opportunity to celebrate the milestone at Love Laban and on a morning television program.