Journalist hopes to fight disinformation through Bb. Pilipinas pageant

News5 reporter Mary Justinne Punsalang from Cavite. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Armin P. Adina

MANILA, Philippines — Broadcast journalist Mary Justinne Punsalang’s work has made her comfortable in front of the camera, but facing a crowd as a contestant in a national beauty pageant is something new for the Caviteña lass. And she also brought along with her something new to the arena — the fight against disinformation.

The News5 reporter earlier gained online traction with a viral video of her presentation at the talent competition of the 2022 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, where she delivered the original spoken word piece “Halimaw” about her chosen battle cry. She tapped Raymart Avellanada to write the piece and had Mark Ghosn to direct her performance. Both are members of the “Ampalaya Monologues” performing arts group where she is also a part of.

“I knew already from the very beginning that I want to perform spoken word. The problem was what question, what topic,” Punsalang told the Inquirer at the sidelines of the press presentation at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City on July 5.

The magna cum laude mass communications graduate from Far Eastern University said she first thought of women empowerment.

“And then things happened. I said I want to do something relevant now. But I’m not saying woman empowerment is not relevant now. So I tapped my friends, and that’s what they came up with,” she added.

Punsalang had apprehensions at first, recognizing the limited audience showing appreciation for her chosen form of performance. So when her presentation earned cheers inside the New Frontier Theater where the talent competition was held, she was surprised.

She also later learned a video of her performance had been circulating online, gaining even more admiration for the courage she displayed.

The Caviteña journalist said she is optimistic that the Bb. Pilipinas pageant can provide a platform for her to help fight “disinformation, misinformation and malinformation.”

“It’s not something that I can do alone. All of us have a responsibility, and we all have the ability,” Punsalang said.

“What I would want to do is to reach out to communities, even schools, or organizations where we can teach how to identify what is fake or not,” she continued.

Punsalang has started in her own “backyard,” guiding her fellow wards of the “Kagandahang Flores” beauty camp whenever the opportunity arises.

“When a topic arises, I’d give some input to help make them aware of things whenever we chat. It helps to be more conversational, and we have already built a relationship so it does not appear as if I am being too condescending,” she explained.

Punsalang is among 40 aspirants vying for four titles — Bb. Pilipinas International, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental, Bb. Pilipinas Globe and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International.

The 2022 Bb. Pilipinas grand coronation night will be staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City on July 31. Catch it live on TV5, Kapamilya Channel, A2Z and Metro Channel, or online via iWantTFC or the pageant’s official YouTube channel. JB

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