It must be a contradiction in terms.
Hypocritical sincerity.
Oxymoron?
While the judges in the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 had already deliberated and chose their individual selection, their votes tabulated, and finally tallied by an independent accounting firm, the results were eventually announced.
It was Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan Province who was adjudged the winner in this year's MUP beauty contest.
Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo resonates with ordinary color Filipino women
Right after the announcement, while many were rejoicing and celebrating her victory, there were not a few, though, who were bitter if not maligning her win.
Some were, and still are, saying, she's not a world beauty title material such as Miss Universe.
Would the Philippines get a single chance if our representative is as black as she, many argue?
These and other racist slurs and personal aspersions like "walang dating (not impressive)," "hindi pansinin (unobtrusive)," “Negra” etc. have been hurled on Chelsea but we still have to hear her reactions in all this.
Amid criticisms, though, there are those who come to her rescue.
Entertainment writer and talent scout Tonee Coraza has been vocal in defense of Manalo against public furor.
"Akala mo kung sinong mga mestiza kung makapamintas ang mga Filipino samantalang kakulay naman nila si Chelsea. Tigilan ako ng mga nagpapasosyal (They thought they're white-skinned when these Filipinos have been sneering at her when they have the same color. Please spare of these hypocrites and pathetic social climbers)," said Coraza.
I agree with Tonee.
It's hypocrisy and irony that many of us are espousing anti-racist sentiments but we ourselves are racists.
In all honesty and objectivity, Chelsea's triumph resonates in many Filipinas who are earth colored.
She is the symbol of Filipina skin we must all be proud of.
Manalo is of the same mold as any girl in town.
She’s indeed a mix of many lineages, indigenous and otherwise—as in any Filipina.
Her skin is the color of the majority of the Filipinos being natives not touched by glutathione or any whitening cosmetic.
Take it from critic Mike Feria, a former Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) member: “Refreshing cultural change…History making. Unprecedented. The first black Filipina ever crowned Miss Philippines Universe, Chelsea Ann Manalo of Bulacan, will represent the Philippines in this year’s Miss Universe competition in Mexico.
“This after a long history of the competition where the Philippines continues to be represented by fair-skinned Filipinas, be Castillan, Anglo or East Asian.
Chelsea is a proud Filipino—she or he be Batangueno or Ilocana or Cebuano etc.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #MUPhChelseaManalo