'Tama na, sobra na': Beauty queens call for end to corruption

Miss World Asia 2025 Krishnah Gravidez (left) and Miss Supranational 2023 first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx at the anti-corruption protests. Photos from Instagram: @krishnahgravidez, @paulineamelinckx

These beauty queens braved the rain, heat, and crowds as they attended last weekend's anti-corruption protests in Manila. 

Miss World Asia 2025 Krishnah Gravidez proudly waved the Philippine flag as she called for an honest and clean government where taxes are used to provide better services for Filipinos.

"Ang pera ng bayan ay para sa bayan. Para sa lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino. Para sa edukasyon na magbubukas ng pintuan ng pangarap. Para sa agrikulturang bumubuhay sa ating mga hapag. Para sa serbisyong pangkalusugan na nag-aalaga ng bawat buhay. Para sa hinaharap ng susunod na henerasyon," she said.

"Titindig tayo. Hindi titigil ang ating tinig. Dahil ang panawagan para sa tapat at makatarungang pamahalaan ay panawagan para sa lahat," she added.

Also present at the September 21 protests was Miss Supranational 2023 first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx, who held up a sign that says "Corruption is abuse."

"When the voice of the people is not fully represented in government, the people will come together to amplify our own voices. The Filipinos will be heard!" she said.

Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Bea Gomez, for her part, stressed that those who engage in corrupt practices should be held accountable as she showed up at the rally.

"Sa pagbuhos ng malakas na ulan, si Juan ay umaasang may maiuuwi sa kanyang tahanan. Mahirap mag-commute, mataas ang baha, at kakarampot na lang ang natira mula sa kanyang kinita. Samantalang ayun sila, nagpapakasasa sa buwis na pinaghirapan ng mga maralita," she said.

"Tama na! Sobra na! Tangible consequences to those who are guilty!" she added.

Meanwhile, Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves and Miss World Philippines 2022 Gwendolyne Fourniol said they will continue fighting for a future that Filipinos deserve.

"Mga kababayan, tuloy ang laban. Hanggang mabawi natin ang kinabukasang ninakaw sa atin ng bilyong pondo na dapat sana'y nagdala ng progreso," Cordoves said. 

"For the nation we love, for the future we deserve," Fourniol said.

Aside from these beauty queens, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma have also been lauded for joining the anti-corruption protests and using their platform and influence for good.