Miss Philippines Earth Joy Barcoma praised for speaking out on social issues

Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma. Image: Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net

Reigning Miss Philippines Earth Joy Barcoma has earned the praise of many netizens for speaking up about social issues after she called out the corruption in flood control projects, and her witty clapbacks against those who are urging her to keep her neutrality in political issues.

In an interview with INQUIRER Entertainment, Barcoma said beauty queens should not be treated like ornaments that are expected to keep silent on social issues, adding that silence only protected the powerful, never the oppressed.

“Queens are not ornaments to be displayed; we are leaders with crowns. And leaders must not be afraid to confront uncomfortable truths. Organizations should breed changemakers and not silence-bearers. A true platform empowers its representatives to speak truth, for a crown must never be a cage but rather should be a mark of change,” she said.

“A crown is not meant to silence us, but to amplify the cries of our people. To represent the Philippines is to carry not just its beauty, but also its struggles, its hopes, and its truths,” continued the communication consultant and event host from Bacoor City.

Barcoma has been known to make her thoughts known about various issues, such as the country’s claim on the West Philippine Sea and the LGBT rights. She recently called for accountability in the flood control controversy involving public officials in connivance with alleged unscrupulous contractors awarded hefty contracts by government.

However, some netizens were unhappy with her being vocal about her opinion, saying this might cause her to lose out in the international competition.

This, she answered with confidence in the interview with Inquirer Entertainment. As Miss Philippines Earth, Barcoma serves as an ambassador for sustainability and environmental protection. She will also represent the Philippines in the 25th Miss Earth pageant later this year.

“If I step on an international stage, I do not only bring beauty and pride, I bring the voice of people who deserve to be heard, I bring the truth of my country, and I bring the responsibility of becoming its hope,” she said.

“Everything is political as politics is not separate from our daily lives. It affects our environment, our livelihood, and our dignity,” the beauty queen added. “To turn a blind eye to injustice is to become an enabler. So whether it’s about governance or environmental issues, I’ve been vocal and upfront because it’s part of who I am and how I contribute to change. Speaking up is not just a choice for me, it is a responsibility, a burden I willingly carry, because change has always been born from those who dare to speak.”

The lass from Bacoor, Cavite further shared that her humble background helped develop her sense of vigilance.

“I’ve witnessed how a single decision made by the privileged few can mean hunger, displacement, or lost opportunities for many. Those experiences opened my eyes and made me realize that vigilance is not optional; it is necessary,” she added.

She confirmed that there have been instances when her voice was dismissed merely because she was a woman or a beauty queen. “Instead of silencing me, those experiences only remind me why it’s necessary to speak louder and stand firmer,” she shared.

Barcoma shared how fortunate she feels to be under Carousel Productions, organizer of the Miss Philippines Earth and Miss Earth pageants, for respecting her voice and recognizing her freedom to make a stand.

“Speaking up is also a privilege not everyone gets to have, which is why beauty queens must use this platform with courage, because when we represent the country, we carry the weight of everything it entails. We owe it to our people and to our homeland to be both its voice and its fortress. After all, it is not fair to enjoy the fame and glamor given to us by the people, only to abandon them for the comfort and privilege that the crown provides,” she explained.

Barcoma acknowledged that there may be organizations that discourage their queens from discussing political issues. “While I understand the intent of neutrality, I believe that true leadership cannot be divorced from courage. If an organization silences its queens, it misses the very essence of pageantry: to empower women to influence change,” she said.

The beauty queen also expressed her admiration for her fellow titleholders who have joined the public chorus against corruption. “To [2021 Miss Intercontinental Cindy Obeñita] and to all who are brave enough to join this conversation, thank you for reminding us that queens are not just symbols of grace, but also of action. May we continue amplifying each other’s voices until the message becomes impossible to ignore,” she said.edv