We aren’t sore losers

By Alex P. Vidal

“I’ve always been a poor sport and a sore loser…any other behavior might encourage a repeat performance.” – Josh Stern, And That’s Why I’m Single

WE are happy with the position made by the Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) on the controversy that recently rocked the Miss Universe 2025.

In staying away from people or groups that lambasted the crowning of Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, this year’s Miss Universe pageant winner in Bangkok, we are showing the world the Filipinos aren’t bitter and cheap.

In fact, we stood ten feet tall when Miss Universe third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo recently made her triumphant return to the Philippines without saying a negative word about the pageant.

Instead of becoming part of the problem, the Miss Universe Philippines organization opted to become part of the solution by asking pageant fans and supporters to refrain from negativity and, instead, focus on understanding as tensions remain high in Bangkok two weeks before the 74th Miss Universe competition.

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“While recent incidents have stirred strong emotions, responding with negativity or calls for cancellation only divides our community. We encourage understanding and positivity to uplift the women involved and strengthen the pageant,” the Miss Universe Philippines organization wrote in a social media statement to address the furor, calling for a shift in perspective.

MUP also denounced the “disparaging remarks about Thailand and racial stereotyping of Asians by a former Miss Universe” without mentioning names. (Pageant sites have been reposting a livestream video posted by former Miss Universe Alicia Machado on her page, where she allegedly referred to Thais, and Asians in general, using racial slurs. The video was supposedly posted following the walkout controversy.)

It added: “Insults and slurs have no place in the Miss Universe community, which stands for compassion, education, and inclusion.”

MUP said it supports pageantry’s “power to inspire, transform, and unite. Instead of toxicity, let us choose dialogue, understanding, and progress. Mistakes do not define the future; compassion, respect, empowerment and understanding do.”

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It asserted that the Miss Universe platform stands for “international unity, women’s empowerment, and breaking barriers to foster an inclusive society.”

Concluding its statement, MUP expressed its support to this year’s host country: “We wish the great nation of Thailand success in hosting this year’s pageant.”

It never happened in the history but the 2025 Miss Universe controversy was about multiple events, including a public reprimand of Miss Mexico that led to a contestant walkout and judge resignations, with one judge claiming the pageant was rigged.

Also, other issues were about the owner of Miss Universe’s parent company being under investigation for alleged organized crime connections and financial problems at the parent company.

The head of Miss Universe Thailand publicly berated Miss Mexico Bosch, for not participating in promotional activities during a livestreamed event. One thing led to another, and Miss Mexico was escorted out by security and several other contestants walking out in solidarity.

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It worsened when two judges resigned from the competition before the final. One judge, Omar Harfouch, left and accused the organizers of having a secret, pre-selection panel for finalists, which the organization denied. The other judge cited “personal reasons”.

Harfouch’s claims of a secret panel suggested the competition was rigged, though the organization refuted this, stating the process was transparent.

The owner of the Miss Universe Organization, Raul Rocha Cantu, is being investigated by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office for alleged connections to an organized crime network.

The parent company of Miss Universe has faced financial difficulties, including missing loan repayments, a sharp drop in its share price, and filing for bankruptcy rehabilitation.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)