- Fellow beauty queens defended Mariel de Leon on a controversy with Catriona Gray.
- They both took to their social media accounts to defend Mariel.
- Mariel then went under hot water after she gave ‘constructive’ criticism towards Catriona.
Fellow beauty queens recently defended Binibining Pilipinas International 2017 Mariel de Leon on issue regarding Binibini 20 Catriona Gray. Mariel went under hot water after giving a constructive criticism on Catriona. Binibining Pilipinas – Intercontinental 2017 Katarina Rodriguez and Binibining Pilipinas – Grand International 2017 Elizabeth Clenci took to their social media accounts to defend Mariel.
The issue also started when Bb. Pilipinas had an activity where candidates would answer questions. In a summarized video, Catriona shared she connects with people more through music.
“My strength is that I’m an empathetic. I feel everything very strongly and I find that when I sing through music, it helps me connect to people.”
Mariel, as one of the Bb. Pilipinas titleholders, gave her opinion on how the way Catriona speaks.
“I really love your confidence and the way you speak. But sometimes, it seems just a tiny bit scripted.”
Watch the video below:
Katarina took to Twitter to defend Mariel. She also continued that she was sick at the time. She described Mariel as one of the nicest ladies she had ever met. Katarina emphasized that Mariel didn’t insult Catriona in any way. She also added that she knows Mariel wouldn’t want any person down.
“Unfortunately I was bed ridden during The Road to the Crown in Las Casas Bataan. I can confidently say that Mariel is one of the nicest and most passionate ladies I have ever met. She is gentle and kind, yet daring and honest. I reviewed what she commented on towards Catriona and she did not insult Catriona, she did not speak of her in any offensive manner and please take it from someone who personally knows Mariel, she would not want to bring any person down.”
Katarina felt sad that netizens started to hate on Mariel. She noted that if a netizen doesn’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. She asked netizens to respect her.
“I’m sad to see so much of what people are commenting towards Mariel. Please remember if you have nothing to say, say nothing at all. She is my friend and I will defend her. You don’t need to like Mariel, but at least respect her. Yung intentions niya hindi naman masama.”
Katarina described that Mariel wanted to help Catriona. She also noted that Catriona remains one of the strongest candidates of all. However, supporting Catriona doesn’t mean spreading negativity on Mariel or any candidate on social media.
“To purposefully put someone down is an awful thing to do guys. Mariel wanted to help Catriona is all. It’s apparent na, na malakas si Catriona, she’s a performer, a model, and has a mind full of the brightest colors, and I’m sure she wouldn’t want those supporting her to spread any negativity especially on social media. Pageantry is supposed to be fun and exciting, not demeaning or hurtful. Let’s keep the peace please! Let’s love all our queens and all our candidates.”
Elizabeth also spoke out on the said issue. She took to Instagram Story to comment and express her insights on the controversy. She also wrote that even in pageantry couldn’t get along. Elizabeth added that every candidate received constructive criticism from all of the beauty queens during the activity.
“It honestly breaks my heart to see what’s happening… Even in local pageantry we can’t all seem to get along?? Yes social media gives us the platform to communicate but i also think that we should all have boundaries and respect. All the girls were given constructive criticism by all of us during the activity in bataan.”
She had gotten to know Mariel for the past year. She also added that she had to speak up as it involved someone she holds dearly.
“In the past year, i have gotten to know mariel and she is the most kind hearted, sweet soul you will meet. I don’t get involved in too much but when i see something is out of line, especially regarding someone who is important to me, then have to speak up.
Elizabeth noted that some supporters were inappropriate on expressing their opinion. She added that cyber bullying remains a form of abuse. She also insisted that supporters should put their passion out in a positive way.
“But regardless of whether we know the person or not, i can’t stress enough how inappropriate it is to use your words to put someone down. It’s cyber bullying which is a form of abuse. Please guys i know how incredible and passionate you are as fans but let’s show the world we can be passionate fans in a POSITIVE way.”
