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Director Ronaldo Carballo has addressed the uproar caused by his comments referring to Miss Universe Philippines 2024 winner Chelsea Manalo as “Baluga,” seeking to clarify that his remarks were not intended as a personal attack.
The director became a focal point of social media criticism following his expression of disappointment over the outcome of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, which concluded recently.
Carballo had publicly voiced his support for Miss Cainta Stacey Gabriel, expressing surprise and discontent with Manalo’s victory.
In a social media post that went viral, Carballo lamented, “Nagpuyat ako sa puro commercial na Ms. Universe Philippines na yan. Tas, isang balugang Ms. South Africa look lang ang mananalo! Paanong nangyari yun?!”
In response to the backlash, Carballo defended his stance, asserting that his critique was solely based on the pageant’s results and not a personal affront to Chelsea Manalo.
“Kinukuwestyon nila ko, komo hindi pumapabor sa kanila ang aking opinyon. Bakit daw negative ang reaksyon ko sa pagkapanalo ng Ms. Bulacan sa Ms. Universe Philippines 2024? Eh, kayo, bakit nyo sya gusto? Ganun lang yun. A matter of taste. Kani-kanya lang tayo ng bet,” Carballo clarified in a subsequent social media post.
He clarified that he does not personally know Chelsea Manalo but stated that if they were to meet, he would congratulate her sincerely as the Philippines’ representative in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City.
“Nothing personal. Hindi ko naman sya kilala at all. Ang reaksyon ko ay base lang sa resulta ng Pageant. Pero incase makita ko sya ng personal at may pagkakataon, I will congratulate her sincerely bilang Ms. Universe Philippines, gayung sya ang napiling mag-represent ng Pilipinas sa Ms. Universe Pageant sa Mexico City,” he added.
Carballo also stood by his prediction that Manalo would not make it to the Top 20 in the Miss Universe 2024 competition, drawing from his track record of predictions in previous pageants.
“So far, hindi pa ko nagkamali in the past results: Nung sinabi kong magiging Ms. Universe sina Katriona Grey at Pia Wurtzbach sa magkaibang taon, naging Ms. Universe nga sila talaga. Yung lahat din nang sinabihan kong, ‘She wouldn’t make it at the Ms. Universe’, hindi rin sila talaga lahat nagwagi. Andali naman kaseng i-judge ng Ms. Universe Pageant,” Carballo affirmed.
The director’s comments have sparked a heated debate online, underscoring the passionate opinions surrounding beauty pageants and their outcomes.
