Outgoing Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma does 'farewell walk' at QC's Pride event amidst pageant controversy
Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma may not have gotten to do her final walk at the pageant's coronation night on June 27 in Malitbog, Bukidnon, but she was in full regalia at Quezon City's Love Laban Pride event on the same night.
Days before, rumors spread that Barcoma would not be doing her farewell walk at the coronation night of Miss Philippines Earth 2026. Traditionally, the outgoing titleholder graces the stage to do a final walk before she crowns her successor.
On X, a social media user asked Barcoma, "So totoo po na hindi kayo [mag]papasa ng crown?" the Miss Philippines Earth 2025 titleholder confirmed she had already sent the crown.
"Napalalamove ko na po kagabi," she replied.
When another X user asked Barcoma, "Whatever the reason is, did they at least have the courtesy to inform you?" supposedly wondering if the pageant organizers updated Barcoma on the change in the program.
Barcoma replied, "They did. They said there's no need for me to come."
What can’t she do?
— Joy Barcoma (@joymayanne) June 27, 2026
Mag-farewell walk 😆😭🥹
The beauty queen, known to her fans as "Jusa," took it in stride, though. Early on Saturday, she posted on X, apparently referring to herself, "What can't she do? Mag-farewell walk," complete with laughing and crying emojis.
It was a pleasant surprise to her fans, then, when Barcoma, resplendent in a strapless white gown and wearing a sash bearing Pride colors, walked onto the stage during the night festivities of Love Laban Pride Festival 2026.
"Hello, mga bakla!" Barcoma greeted the audience.
"I'm so happy to be here. Maraming maraming salamat sa mainit na pagtanggap. Maraming maraming salamat sa pagmamahal. At siyempre nandito tayong lahat para ipaglaban ang ating karapatan. Mabuhay ang LGBTQIA+ community!" she continued.
Taking her chosen platform seriously, Barcoma added, "Ito po ay araw na nagmamarka na may mga taong lumalaban para sa karapatan nila at para sa karapatan ng lahat ng taong hindi lang nandito sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo na matanggap sila kung sino sila."
On Saturday morning, Barcoma posted a statement on Facebook signifying a farewell to her title.
"As my reign comes to a close, I choose gratitude above everything else," she began. "To everyone who believed in me, supported me, and loved me from the very beginning, maraming maraming salamat po."
