Joy Barcoma on labeling people as ‘performative’: We restrict them

Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma may have gained a reputation for being outspoken about social issues, but she believes labeling certain people as “performative” is wrong, as it limits them from changing within themselves.

Barcoma opened up about the downsides of accusing certain people of being “performative” on the May 16 episode of “YSpeak 2.0” when asked about the topic. 

READ: Bianca Gonzalez on ‘performative’ tag over gov’t remarks: ‘Di ako ang kalaban’

The definition of “performative” has been making the rounds on social media, with some netizens calling out celebrities as such whenever they voice their opinions on social issues, particularly the recent Senate shooting and the suspected escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, as well as other matters. 

This means that other netizens are not convinced that some celebrities or internet personalities are sincere in their push for change, given past controversies or allegations of affiliations with certain political families.

“I used to have that mindset when it comes to people, but I also learned na mali siya in a way,” Barcoma began.

“Because if we’re going to label people, we’re restricting them from being their true selves and from reaching their full capabilities as a person. Remember, we’re all performative in a way. We perform for people. We perform for the people that we love. We perform for ourselves,” she continued.

The beauty queen also pointed out that making such accusations “ends the conversation,” thus depriving them of the chance to change for the better. 

“Sana hindi natin nililimit ang tao as performative (I hope we don’t limit them to being performative) because remember that change starts from awareness,” she said. “And these people we label as performative [show] awareness by posting, sharing, or just sharing their insights, they’re already contributing to the change that we want to see in society.”

Barcoma also stressed that now is the time to call for “allies” and not enemies, stating that the “system” is the true enemy.

“Kung hahanap tayo ng mas maraming kaaway, we’re not able to reach a unified change in the future. We should just support them and encourage them na maging hindi lang performative but a person who is principled when it comes to their advocacies and beliefs,” she added. 

(If we gain more enemies, we’re not able to reach a unified change in the future. We should just support them and encourage them not to be performative, but to be a person who is principled when it comes to their advocacies and beliefs.)

Barcoma, who finished as a runner-up in Miss Earth 2025, is set to crown her successor sometime this year.

While details are yet to be announced, 33 queens are in the running to be crowned as Miss Philippines Earth 2026. /edv