Every now and then, you see someone posting a graphic or some quote declaring that she’s not a princess, but a queen, suggesting that princesses are sweet and well behaved and need taking care of, but queens are strong and empowered and rule their own lands.
That’s why it’s pretty funnythat Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma is catching some heat for her answer during the Miss Earth 2025 Q&A. I didn’t even think she said anything controversial when she called for prayers for the people affected by the typhoon in the Visayas and that the government should be creating policies for the good of the people. That all seems pretty commonsense to me. And yet there are people saying she took too much time and that it wasn’t the right time and platform for her to be talking about those things.
What do you mean that’s not the right platform?! She was competing to become Miss Earth, and she was asked a question that she was able to relate to what’s currently happening in the country she is representing. Do people think Miss Earth should be just about tree planting and promoting recycling?
Anyway, it’s great that Barcoma’s not taking all this sitting down; she comments directly to critics and says that she doesn’t regret speaking up about those issues even if it cost her the crown.
“Gusto niyo mag-smile smile ako sa stage kahit alam kong ang daming namamatay, ang daming nawawala, ang daming nawalan ng kabuhayan, ang daming hindi makauwi sa bahay nila . . . Gusto niyo manahimik ako? … If that’s the thing that costed (sic) me the crown, it’s worth it. Aanhin ko ang crown if it’s for the glitz and glam, pero kung kailangan magsalita para sa bayan, hindi ko ginagamit.”
It’s fantastic and refreshing to hear a beauty queen talking like this, because people expect them to make nice and keep peace with the fans and the organization they want to represent because apparently, what actually really matters is securing that crown, forget about having principles, strong opinions, and a brain.
That’s the unfortunate fate of beauty queens here, I think. Not only do they have to squeeze, fill, trim themselves to look the part, but people also want them to have a brain and have something substantial to say about social issues.* Yet when they actually do speak up and take a stand, they get criticized for it.
I’ve always thought it takes a brave woman to get into pageantry here in the Philippines, yet many still do in hopes of a better life, greater influence, and opportunities. To get there, however, it seems like they have to conform, kiss so many asses, and bite their tongues a lot. Speaking up and being frank about issues is the least they could do, and yet some people couldn’t even let them have that.
*Just look at how much people CRUCIFY beauty queens when they can’t formulate a proper response during Q&As or when they don’t have progressive views on issues.
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