Fashion designer Domz Ramos has issued a public apology

In a setup where women are expected to be prim, proper, and perfect like beauty pageants, having grace under pressure isn’t enough, especially when you’re often criticized. And in a pageant-obsessed country like the Philippines, beauty candidates go through a lot of physical and mental stress when they are competing.

Ganiel Krishnan and Pauline Robles (Photos by Mark Neto Diaz)

Days after the coronation night of Miss World Philippines (MWP) 2021, contestant Ganiel Krishnan shared through social media her unfortunate experience with a “bully” fashion designer, Domz Ramos. In her post, the beauty queen called the experience “unnecessary” and “insensitive.”

The issue arose when the fashion designer shared a post on social media saying, “Ms. World or nothing daw eh. Oh, ‘yan, 2nd Runner Up. Jivahhh.” To which Jerome Balute, a supporter of the Filipino-Indian beauty queen responded, “Even if he didn't mention Ganiel Krishnan's name in his post, it was clear as day that he was throwing shade at the beauty queen.”

“This is quite alarming because it has become a culture amongst Pinoy pageant fans to bash and bully candidates without considering the trauma it might cause to the bullied,” he continued. “It's high time that we call out these people who find satisfaction over other people's heartbreak and misery. What bothers me most is that he doesn't even show remorse because this isn't the first time he bullied a candidate. It discredits the sacrifice and hard work of the candidates and no one, regardless of his affiliation with any organization, has the right to invalidate the dream of any Filipina by bullying.”

Another traumatic experience was raised by fellow MWP candidate Pauline Robles, who said that the designer called her “‘ingrata,' ‘attitude,' ‘impakta,' and so on.”

“With his actions, I have suffered mentally and emotionally. My family and friends know me, that I’ve always been an emotionally and mentally strong person but that incident has brought me to my lowest of lows. I’ve suffered drastic weight loss, insomnia, and low self-esteem. And because of that, I’ve almost up my journey in MWP,” Pauline said.

“We highly respect you because of your contribution in the pageant industry, but what you’ve done to me, and the rest you have power tripped destroyed that respect,” she continued. “The bullying and power-tripping should be stopped. Tama na. Let’s not tolerate any form of bullying. No candidate deserves to be bullied. No one deserves to be bullied.”

Known for being the provider of swimsuits to the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, Domz issued a statement on Oct. 5, 2021, not only to apologize but also to clarify the issue.

“First, I apologize to everyone who has been hurt by my remarks, especially Ms. Ganiel Krishnan, her pageant camp and fans, and indirectly, the Binibining Pilipinas organization. While I did not deny posting the statement, I would like to clarify that it was taken out of context,” he said.

“The statement in the screenshot read, ‘Ms. World or nothing daw eh. Oh, ‘yan, 2nd Runner Up. Jivahhh.” What critics failed to share, however, was the post that followed, which read, ‘But I think she deserves a crown. Oh jivah.’ By itself, the initial comment could be construed as insensitive and my way of bashing Ms. Krishnan,” Domz added. “Even as I agree that it might have appeared as such, I deny that it was meant to insult or abuse her. On the contrary, it was made out of my disappointment that she did not win a major title.”

The designer also mentioned that he has been a fan of broadcaster-beauty queen since her time at Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 pageant, in which she took home the Asia-Pacific International crown. He also expressed his hope for Ganiel to join Binibining Pilipinas, his preferred national pageant.

“I apologize for my carelessness and beg for the forgiveness of those who have been hurt and offended, and pray that people would take my sentiment as a whole and not condemn me over this matter for one screenshot. This has been a humbling learning experience for me,” Domz ended.

On Oct. 3, 2021, MWP 2021 pageant crowned Tracy Maureen Perez from Cebu as the Philippines’ representative to Miss World 2021 pageant happening in Puerto Rico. The local pageant’s Second Princess, Ganiel, resigned from her title on Oct. 5, 2021 to prioritize her career as a journalist.

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