Beauty queen and host Joy Barcoma cleared the air by explaining why she wasn’t able to do a farewell walk for Miss Philippines Earth. In an interview with King of Talk Boy Abunda, she expressed that she has no bad blood with the organization and respects their decision, but nonetheless, she is still saddened by what happened.
Rumors about Joy made the rounds on social media after netizens noticed she wasn’t at the organization's coronation night. As the reigning queen of the pageant then, netizens wondered why she couldn’t take the traditional final walk.
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The host shared that everything was all set for her and her team to fly to Bukidnon, where the coronation night took place.
“I was already communicating with the manager that I’m already in contact with for how many months na kasi siya yung nag-ha-handle sa akin. She told me to book tickets and everything was set. On the day of the flight ng lahat ng queens except me, I was told na wag na daw ako tumuloy because my presence is no longer needed,” she recalled.
Despite the sudden decision, Joy maintained that she didn’t question the organization's decision and simply respected it.
“I respected that. I respected the decision of the organization because it was communicated to me as well na walang magaganap na farewell walk for all queens. So, naiintindihan ko na kasi wala naman farewell walk, hindi ko na kailangan mag pasa ng korona because nadoon rin naman yung Miss Earth na main,” she explained.
She was also in contact with the other queens who flew to the coronation night and even supported their decision of wanting to have a farewell walk, which was then given to them.
“In the beginning naman, wala talaga silang farewell walk and then sabi nila sana magkaroon sila ng farewell walk. I was also praying with them sana kasi sayang nadiyan na kayo, sayang yung moment, sayang yung production. They communicated it to the owner of Miss Philippines Earth, and it was granted to them,” she revealed.
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While she harbored no ill feelings toward the organization, Joy maintained that she was saddened by the decision, as she expressed that it was every queen’s dream to walk one last time.
“Of course, I was saddened at first kasi parang lahat naman ng beauty queen ayun ang niloolook forward–– ito na yung end of my reign, this is the mark of the end of my responsibilities, my commitment and also my legacy,” she admitted.
“Pero inisip ko nalang siya on a positive note, hindi nag nagtapos ang responsibilidad ko. Hindi natapos ang pagiging Miss Philippines Earth ko,” she continued.
The beauty queen then denied having any knowledge of breaching a contract which was the reason why she wasn’t able to do a final walk.
“I don’t know because it wasn’t communicated with me. So wala talagang conversation between me and the organization na may na breach akong contract. Ang message lang na nareceive ko on the 24th–– on the day of their flight–– was that I’m no longer needed. I didn’t ask further questions,” she asserted.
Despite not being able to do a farewell walk at the recent Miss Philippines Earth coronation night, Joy was given the opportunity to do so at Love Laban and on a morning program.