Gray, Huelar dismayed by Miss Earth sexual harassment issue

Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray and Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar have expressed dismay over the recent sexual harassment controversy during the Miss Earth pageant.

“It’s really unfortunate that they have experienced this in our country, but I think they did the right thing in coming forward and voicing out what happened,” Gray said on Monday during the beauty queens’ send-off party at Novotel Manila Araneta Center.

Gray praised those who came forward because “when women are able to feel empowered enough and to feel secure enough to come forward and to name the perpetrator, I think that’s when the awareness and the action come.”

“And going forward, we should make women feel like they can speak up,” the 24-year-old beauty queen from Albay added.

Meanwhile, Huelar she was appalled upon learning what happened. “I’m sad about what happened. If it’s true and they can prove it, I’m totally against it and I don’t like it,” she said in English and Filipino.

She emphasized that the host country carries the responsibility of letting respect prevail.

Miss England Abbey-Anne Gyles-Brown, Miss Canada Jaime VandenBerg, and Miss Guam Emma Mae Sheedy took to Instagram to share their experience on how they were sexually harassed during the Miss Earth pageant in the Philippines.

Huelar reminded those who experienced sexual harassment to “always know your worth, know your value.”

Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar (L) and Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Grey. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

When moments like this arise, Huelar said one must speak up and express the discomfort and negative things one feels.

Gray echoed this and said: “I hope it won’t allow you to define what future relationships would be like for you and that maybe if you get the appropriate counseling and love from your family and people around you and if you feel brave enough, share your story.”

She added that “there may be women out there who are too scared to voice out” their experiences and the testimony the beauty contestants may inspire others to be brave.

Miss England Abbey-Anne Gyles-Brown, Miss Canada Jaime VandenBerg, and Miss Guam Emma Mae Sheedy have shared on Instagram how they were sexually harassed during the Miss Earth pageant in the Philippines.

Gray will try to win the country’s fourth Miss Universe crown on December 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Huelar, on the other hand, will vie for the Miss Supranational crown on December 7 in Poland. /ee