Herlene Budol. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
MANILA, Philippines—Comedienne Herlene Nicole Budol trended online after she, along with the rest of the 2023 Miss Grand Philippines pageant candidates, was introduced to members of the media last month, but not for reasons a typical aspirant would hope for.
Clips from the program’s portion where the “Magandang Dilag” star messed up her answer to a question already interpreted in Filipino made the rounds online and earned unfavorable remarks from netizens, prompting the comedienne to release a live video of her apologizing for the gaffe and delivering a promise to do better to meet her fans’ expectations.
The crucial moment for redemption is coming her way via the preliminary competition scheduled on Saturday, July 8, at the Grand Ballroom of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City, the same venue of the controversial press presentation. The organization will also hold its charity gala night in the same event, where it aims to raise funds for charity causes.
But Budol has her work cut out for her as formidable competitors have already made their mark earlier on. International runners-up have earned recognition from several pre-coronation events, and have asserted their serious claim for the crowns at stake.
“Supermodel Me” first runner-up Nikki De Moura from Cagayan de Oro City, 2022 Miss Elite first runner-up Shanon Tampon from Caloocan City, and 2022 Miss Environment International first runner-up Michelle Arceo from Quezon City were among the eight “Aqua Boracay Angels” proclaimed during the special swimsuit competition held at Aqua Boracay last month.
Budol missed the list, which also includes Zyra Mae Carbonell from La Union, Charie Manalo from Antique, Awroz Ganiban from Nueva Ecija, Francine Reyes from Tarlac and Queen Mongcupa from Socorro, Quezon City.
The comedienne also missed the selection of the five ladies who topped the swimsuit competition held in Boracay, which listed Arceo, Tampon, Reyes, Manalo and De Moura.
Budol found her resurgence at a special program conducted by pageant sponsor Ever Bilena also last month, where she took home the “Miss Ever Bilena” award. But the other frontrunners continued their domination by receiving special citations for themselves. Arceo was proclaimed Miss Hello Glow, Tampon was Miss Blackwater, De Moura was Miss Careline, and emerging dark horse Ganiban was Miss Ever Organics.
Pageant veteran Maria Gail Tobes from Northern Samar was proclaimed Miss Spotlight, while reigning Limgas na Pangasinan Rona Lalaine Lopez was Miss Hyaloo.
Those who cannot attend the preliminary competition show may still watch the program online. Miss Grand Philippines National Director Arnold Vegrafria has launched his own online entertainment channel ALV TV where the show will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m.
The online channel will also stream the 2023 Miss Grand Philippines coronation night in real time. The show will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 13, at 7:30 p.m. The winner will represent the country at the 2023 Miss Grand International contest to be held in Vietnam later this year. The contest will also crown the next Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas who will compete in the 2023 Reina Hispanoamericana competition in Bolivia. Another winner will be crowned Miss Philippines Tourism.
ALV TV is also set to stream Vegafria’s other national pageant, the Miss World Philippines competition, as well as other content including movies, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment programs. For details on how to watch the 2023 Miss Grand Philippines preliminary competition and coronation night, visit https://alvtv.com. /ra