'Call-out din 'yan sa atin': Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma weighs in on 'halfies' issue
Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma is dismayed about the recent issue of nationality and entitlement that arose following comments made by two Filipino American male pageant titleholders regarding "halfies" or mixed-blood Pinoys.
The issue blew up after Mister Supranational 2024 second runner-up Brandon Espiritu posted a now-deleted reel showing him and fellow Fil-Am Jether Palomo, Mister Pilipinas Global 2025, having a drink with male pageant titleholders from other countries. When challenged to sing a song from their respective native languages, Espiritu and Palomo sang the US national anthem instead of Lupang Hinirang.
Called out for it on social media, Espiritu defended himself and wrote, "[The Philippines] wouldn't have a chance on the national stage without us halfies."
It drew quick and harsh backlash. Barcoma has shared her thoughts and given a new perspective.
"Disappointed ako kasi nirepresent mo na 'yung Philippines ta's ang baba pa rin ng tingin mo sa mga Pinoy," the beauty queen said in a video uploaded on social media.
For the entire reel, Barcoma inadvertently gave a masterclass in Filipino gastronomic culture: She had a plate of white rice and crispy pata in front of her as she spoke while eating balut, which she occasionally sprinkled with vinegar from an ice candy plastic bag.
"Pero alam niyo, kung may sisisihin ako, sisisihin ko 'yung mga sarili natin. Kasi masyado nating pinut sa pedestal 'yung mga taong may itsura, lalo na 'yung mga Eurocentric ang features," Barcoma said.
She cited examples where, when they see someone with Eurocentric features, Filipinos tend to ask the person, "Ano'ng lahi mo?" or "Half ka?"
Barcoma also bemoaned how, according to her, Filipinos seem more solicitous to foreigners than fellow Pinoys.
"Tingnan niyo, kapag foreigner ang bisita, parang ang bait-bait natin. Pero 'pag kapwa Pinoy, parang wala tayong masyadong pasensya," she said.
Such a mindset gave birth to the "halfies" issue, said Barcoma. "Tayo kasi naglagay ng ganu'ng level of privilege sa kanila, wherein the first place hindi dapat para hindi nila nafee-feel na meron silang leverage over us," Barcoma continued.
She was happy, though, that the recent controversy about the male pageant titleholders opened the conversation about unearned foreign privilege.
"Call out din 'yan sa atin. 'Wag natin masyadong bigyan ng pribilehiyo 'yung mga foreigners na pupunta dito sa country natin tapos ine-exploit lang 'yung pagka-Pinoy nila," she said.
"Tsaka may mga tao talagang hindi deserve ng platform," Barcoma added.
The Miss Earth Philippines titleholder then offered recommendations on additional requirements for future pageant candidates representing the Philippines.
They have to speak Tagalog, she said, or at least understand it. She also suggested they know how to sing Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem.
"Tutal, gusto niyo i-represent ang Philippines; dapat alam niyo kahit papaano 'yung mga basic words, basic phrases," she said.
Having said all that, Barcoma admitted not all "halfies" deserve to be cancelled.
"Alam niyo kung sino 'yung halfie na deserve mag-represent ng Philippines? Si Bea. Sila Ms. Pia, sila Catriona," Barcoma said. "'Yan 'yung mga talagang inaral 'yung kultura natin. Talagang in-immerse 'yung sarili nila."
She was referring to reigning Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski, who is Filipino-American; Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Filipino-German; and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Filipino-Australian.
