MUPh condemns 'hurtful' comments by pageant vlogger against Chelsea Manalo: 'We do not tolerate bullying'
The Miss Universe Philippines organization slammed a pageant vlogger for the "hurtful" comments he made towards Chelsea Manalo.
Adam Genato, a pageant commentator and an MUPh media partner, became a hot topic online when he appeared to attribute Manalo's Top 30 finish at the recently concluded Miss Universe pageant to her appearance, comparing her to other beauty queens like Ahtisa Manalo and Christi McGarry.
"Kung si Ahtisa Manalo 'tong ipinadala natin ngayon dito sa Mexico or even si Christi McGarry, jusko siguro, Lord, buong tatlong linggo nito mula Oct. 29 to Nov. 18, siguro hindi na tayo matutulog. Talagang ganoon kaingay 'yung dalawang 'yun, 'di ba?" Genato said in a now-deleted YouTube video.
"Kasi tingnan mo, sino ang pinanalo nila? Si Denmark, 'di ba Barbie-looking? Eh sino ba ang closest Barbie-looking natin nung nakaraang MUPh? Si Ahtisa 'di ba?" he added.
The MUPh organization got wind of Genato's statements and described them as "unfair, insensitive, hurtful, and dismissive" towards Manalo's achievements.
"We do not tolerate bullying and irresponsible vlogging especially from an accredited MUPh media partner whom we have welcomed in our events," they stated
"For too long, we have allowed such behavior to be tolerated because bashers and haters have been an accepted part of social media. But in reality, we still have a choice to normalize it or speak up against it," they added.
The organization stressed that content creators "should be guided by respect, responsibility and decency" on how they express opinions on delegates and "refrain from making demeaning statements."
"Making potentially or intentionally controversial statements for clout and engagement, but at the expense of delegates, is detestable," they emphasized.
"We are grateful to all our MUPh accredited media partners and mainstream media for tirelessly supporting our queens and the pageant industry. We hope the pageant community can unite in promoting a safe online space for our queens," they ended.
Pageant commentator apologizes
Genato has apologized for what he said in his commentary, sharing that he has "realized the gravity" of what he did.
"The past 24 hours has left me bewildered about my actions, about our candidate Chelsea Manalo, and it really pains me that it has come to this," a tearful Genato said in his apology video. "Chelsea, I'm really, really sorry about what I said about you. It was never really my intention to really hurt your feelings."
The pageant analyst then explained that he made that comment in response to a question from his live chat about who he thinks should have represented the Philippines instead or who he wants to see representing the country next year.
While he acknowledged that "there's no excuse" for what he did, Genato admitted that he was hurt by those who called him "plastic" and two-faced" as he insisted that he was always enthusiastic over the pageant.
"I have no more excuse, but all I want to say is I'm really sorry. I want to seek for all your forgiveness," he said.
While Manalo has not directly responded to Genato, she reposted MUPh's statement on her Instagram stories with the caption, "Those who speak and act kind are those blessed. So I hope you start today."
Manalo ended her Miss Universe journey in the Top 30, but she eventually claimed the title of being the first Miss Universe Asia, one of the pageant's continental crowns.
The beauty queen previously opened up about how she was bullied in the past for her looks, sharing, "When I was little, kulot talaga [yung buhok ko], hindi ako nag-aayos pa, sobrang dark, petite na petite. Grabe, parang naalala ko iiyak ako everytime sa mom ko, uuwi ako sa bahay na umiiyak."
She revealed that the other kids back then weren't as accustomed to the way she looked. "Siyempre, hindi familiar yung mga ibang kids na 'Bakit kaya unique siya' o 'Bakit kaya iba yung itsura niya?'"
Manalo then revealed that it was her parents who served as her source of support during those times. "[My mom and dad told me] that hindi dahil ganyan yung itsura mo is pangit ka. We are all uniquely beautiful. baka iba lang yung nakikita nila sayo, that’s why, but deep inside your heart you know who you are and that is what only matters," she said.