Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo (left) with pageant vlogger Adam Genato. Genato/Instagram
The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) on Friday called out a pageant vlogger for his recent comments about the organization's reigning queen, Chelsea Manalo.
Publicly addressing Adam Genato on its social media pages, MUPH said it does not tolerate "bullying and irresponsible vlogging," especially from an accredited media partner.
"His comments are unfair, insensitive, hurtful, and dismissive of her accomplishments," it said.
"We believe pageant vloggers should exercise greater care in expressing opinions about our delegates, and refrain from making demeaning statements," it added, adding that making controversial comments about the country's pageant representatives is "detestable."
Manalo has also reposted MUPH's statement on Instagram stories. Sharing her thoughts, she wrote: "Those who speak and act kind are those blessed. So I hope you start today."
Read the full statement below:
In a recent live chat session with his followers, Genato said he believes the Philippines would've had a better chance at the Miss Universe crown if either Ahtisa Manalo or Christi McGarry were sent to Mexico as the country's delegate. Both finished as runners-up in the MUPH national pageant.
His remarks quickly went viral online, drawing backlash from many pageant fans.
Shortly after MUPH released a statement, Genato made a tearful public apology to Manalo and her team, saying it was not his intention to hurt anyone's feelings.
"Chelsea, I'm really, really sorry about what I said about you. It was never really my intention to really hurt your feelings... You've worked so hard to be where you are right now and it's really painful that I am pictured as someone who's belittling all your efforts," he said.
"I realize now I should have been more diplomatic and tactful with my choice of words. It is only now that I am realizing the impact of my words to you, to your team, and everyone else," the pageant vlogger added.
Acknowledging that there is no excuse for what he did, Genato reiterated that he was not "two-faced" in all those times he spent with Manalo.
"Kung ano 'yung ipinakita ko sa 'yo since day 1, ganoon talaga 'yung enthusiasm ko," he stressed. "However, given na hindi pa rin talaga tama 'yung sinabi ko, I would really like to apologize to you."
"I will accept all the consequences of my actions... Sana after this, ito na 'yung last mistake ko talaga," he ended.
Manalo now holds the title of Miss Universe Asia, joining three other Continental Queens. She finished in the Top 30 of the Miss Universe pageant.
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