Eva Patalinjug (top row, middle) with her fellow queens.
SHE will really prove her worth even more as she competes in the international stage soon.
This is the assurance of Cebuana beauty queen and newly crowned Binibining Pilipinas 2018 Grand International Eva Psychee Patalinjug amidst the Q&A controversy during the grand coronation night last March 18 at Smart Araneta Colisuem.
On her Instagram Stories yesterday, she posted a photo of her with Stella Marquez Araneta, chairperson of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc., with the caption: “To SMA, thank you for believing in me despite all the detractors. To everyone who has always been behind my back, don’t worry I’ll prove them wrong! xoxo, Ms. Grand Int’l Philippines.”
Patalinjug broke her silence Tuesday evening when she shared the Facebook post of lawyer Regal Oliva, Mandaue City Treasurer, who defended her from bashers.
“Humbled by your kind words Atty! Thank you for believing in me. I’ll prove my worth even more. Let’s all stay positive! Let’s say no to hate and bashing! God bless us all,” she said.
Patalinjug, 23, is a law student from the University of San Carlos. She succeeded her fellow Cebuana, Elizabeth Clenci who finished second runner-up during the Miss Grand International 2017 pageant held in Vietnam.
The Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2018 is not Patalinjug’s first national title. In 2014, she was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International.
VIRAL POST
During the question and answer portion in last Sunday’s pageant, Patalinjug was asked, “What is the role of beauty queens in the pursuing of our country’s economic success, if any?”
“A role of the beauty queen is to be a voice. I am here to make a message to all of you. In these times of uncertainty and fear that has seemingly taken over in our country, we have remained steadfast as we face all of the challenges. As a united nation, what we should do is to set aside our political differences, forget our academic and social preferences, and let love and loyalty for our country rise above all,” she
answered.
A netizen named Pry Rivera posted on his Facebook account a video of Patalinjug’s answer during the grand coronation night.
Rivera said, “Sounds family? Lol. Read then watch.”
Beside the video was a screenshot of Mega Magazine’s Independence Day campaign in 2017. It bore a statement attributed to actress Nadine Lustre.
The campaign read, “In these times when fear and uncertainty have seemingly taken over, as a united nation, we remain steadfast and unfazed in the midst of challenges. I believe what we need as one nation now is unity. As we celebrate our country’s independence, let us march forward towards the future, in the hopes of building a better nation, #TheNewPH. This is my stand and my pledge for humanity.”
Rivera then edited his caption and later explained that he was looking for Patalinjug’s verbatim answer on Facebook and came across the Mega Magazine campaign.
“Wala naman akong sinasabing negative about it. How you interpret my post, aba opinion mo na yun,” he said.
Rivera’s post became viral with more than 13,000 likes and more than 15,000 shares.
REGAL’S DEFENSE
Lawyer Oliva said on her post that Patalinjug may have canned her answer from a quote in a magazine which was intended to be used by every Filipino who values his or her independence.
“That was the goal. Those were words not only used by one actress, but many personalities in the country. And when a beauty pageant candidate who won a crown uses it, it becomes an issue?” part of Oliva’s post reads.
Part of the post also said Patalinjug did not commit the crime of plagiarism.
“Please remember that such commission is not a crime because a beauty pageant is not a job in journalism nor it is a project for a thesis subject,” she said.
Oliva stressed in her post that the Cebuana beauty queen deserved a crown.
“And now, let all detractors be at peace and let Eva prepare for her next pageant. And when she again quotes a phrase or so, let it be known that when the universe conspires and aligh stars in your favor, you will always be a queen. Because after all, the throne is always a destiny,” Oliva ended the post.
Oliva’s Facebook post gained more than 1,500 likes and was shared more than 200 times as of yesterday afternoon.