Joy Barcoma explains why she was unable to do her farewell walk as Miss Philippines Earth
Joy Barcoma has addressed the reason why she was not able to complete her farewell walk as Miss Philippines Earth.
Traditionally, the outgoing titleholder graces the stage to do a final walk before she crowns her successor. However, Barcoma was not present during the coronation night held on June 27 in Malitbog, Bukidnon, instead taking her walk at Quezon City's Love Laban Pride event on the same night.
In an interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, the beauty queen asserted that she was actually planning to attend the coronation night, explaining that her flights, accommodations, and makeup artist were already booked.
"Everything was set na for me. I was already communicating with the manager that I'm already in contact with for how many months na kasi siya 'yung naghahandle sakin. And then she told me to book tickets, and everything was set," Barcoma said.
She continued, "And on the day of the flight ng lahat ng queens, I was told na huwag na raw akong tumuloy because my presence is no longer needed."
Despite this, Barcoma respected the decision of the organization, as it was communicated to her that no farewell walk would be held for all queens.
"Naintindihan ko na, 'Ah, kasi wala namang farewell walk, hindi ko na kailangan magpasa ng korona because nandun din naman 'yung Miss Earth na reigning,'" she said.
However, she later discovered that she was the only queen who did not get to have a farewell walk.
"In the beginning naman po, wala talaga silang farewell walk. And then sabi nila, sana magkaroon sila ng farewell walk. And I was also praying with them na sana meron kasi sayang, nandiyan na kayo, sayang 'yung moment, sayang 'yung production," she said.
"And then they communicated it to the owner of Miss Philippines Earth, and it was granted to them," she added.
Barcoma admitted that she was saddened by the development.
"Lahat naman ng beauty queen 'yun 'yung niloo-look forward na ito na 'yung end of my reign, and this is like the mark of the end of my responsibilities, my commitment, and also my legacy. Pero inisip ko na lang siya, on a positive note; hindi nagtapos ang responsibilidad ko. Hindi natapos ang pagiging Miss Philippines Earth ko," she underscored.
However, speculations soon arose within the pageant community when Miss Philippines Earth Brand Manager Astrud Schuck made a post saying that "if a contract is breached many times, action is taken."
Barcoma got wind of the post through her friends, but stressed that she chose not to dwell on things that weren't explicitly directed at her.
"If it's for me, then it's up to the organization to bring it up to me," she said.
Ultimately, she is unsure whether she did something to breach her contract, as nothing was communicated to her.
"Wala po talagang conversation na nangyari between me and the organization na may na-breach akong contract. Ang message lang na na-receive ko on the day of their flight was that I was no longer needed," she explained.
Barcoma did reach out to the owner of Miss Philippines Earth, Lorraine Schuck, and told her that if she is still open to continuing her responsibilities.
"Wala naman po akong sama ng loob sa organization. Na-seen naman niya po ako. Kahit dati pa po, laging seen lang ako ni Tita, so that means the message was communicated," she said.
"But then, a manager from the organization reached out to me after the coronation and thanked me for my reign, thanked me for my commitment [to] the organization, for everything that I have contributed," she added.
Barcoma represented the Philippines at the Miss Earth 2025 pageant in November, where she ended in the Top 8 runner-up placement.
