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Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray (left) and Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Tiglao. Photos from Instagram: @catriona_gray and @emmatiglao
Some of the Philippines' most prominent beauty queens have weighed in on the controversial "halfies" remark made in an exchange between two male pageant titleholders.
Mister Supranational 2024 second runner-up Brandon Espiritu and Mister Global 2025 semi-finalist Jether Palomo, both Filipino-Americans, are facing online backlash for their comments that seemed demeaning to homegrown Pinoy pageant aspirants.
On her Instagram broadcast channel, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray noted that there are so many different Filipinos -- homegrown, halfies, or second- to fourth-generation -- who are "making an incredible impact in their industries and positively contributing to our nation."
The host and advocate, who is Filipino-Australian, stressed that these are the kind of people who are more deserving of a platform.
"Let's give a platform (pageantry or otherwise) to people who truly deserve it," Gray said. "To those whose love for country extends beyond a momentary spotlight; those whose pagmamahal sa bayan is more than just lip service, but is reflected in their consistent actions, character, and values."
Catriona Gray/Instagram
Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Tiglao, on the other hand, shared her thoughts about what it means to be a Filipino.
"For me, being Filipino is not about being half or pure. It's about the love you have for your country, the pride you carry, and the heart you put into representing it," she said.
"At the end of the day, what matters most is not what's in your blood, but what’s in your heart," the Kapampangan beauty queen added. "Patuloy kang ipaglalaban at ipagmamalaki, mahal kong Pilipinas."
Like Tiglao, Miss Supranational 2023 first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx said she is honored to have been given the opportunity to wear the Philippine sash on the international stage.
"Yes, I'm only half-Filipino, and there were times I wondered if I was Filipino enough," admitted Amelinckx, who is half-Belgian. "But I've realized that being Filipino is a choice, one you make every day, shown by how much of your heart you are willing to dedicate to carrying our shared stories through words and action."
Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cindy Obeñita, meanwhile, opted to directly address the controversy "as a pure-blooded Filipina" who has represented the country.
"With all due respect, Sir, our success in pageantry is not determined by being half-Filipino or having foreign ancestry. It is determined by preparation, intelligence, character, purpose, and the ability to carry our nation with pride," she pointed out.
"Let us be careful with our words. Aspirations are built on representation. When we tell young Filipinos they are 'less than' because of their bloodline, we diminish the very people we claim to inspire."
Miss Supranational Philippines 2026 Kat Llegado, for her part, said she found the issue "heartbreaking" as it happened just days before Independence Day.
"No amount of hate, disrespect, or criticism can ever diminish the pride I have for my country. I will always stand tall, carry our flag with honor, and represent the strength and heart of every Filipina," said Llegado, who placed fifth runner-up in Reina Hispanoamericana 2019.
"Regardless of our roots what truly matters is the love and pride we have for the country we represent. We choose the Philippines by heart, and that choice deserves respect," she stressed.