Miss Universe Philippines takes all of its candidates and affiliates under its wing against cyberbullying
The Miss Universe Philippines Organization has expressed its stance against cyberbullying following the online hate and criticisms received by one of this year’s delegates.
With deep focus and conviction on progressive advocacies, the organization stands against any form of injustices and oppression—with the aim of achieving equity on the basis of gender, culture, environment, and societal welfare.
As the organization promotes such, it then released a statement on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 to address the recent online tirades aired towards one of its candidates—Elaine Bernales of Albay.
IMAGE: Miss Universe Philippines on Facebook
The statement reads, “The Miss Universe Philippines Organization strongly condemns any and all forms of cyberbullying towards the Organization, the delegates, and anyone associated with the pageant.
“This includes but is not limited to bullying, threatening and derogatory remarks made in the MUPh social media platforms. We recognize the harmful effects of cyberbullying to a delegate’s mental and physical health that can last long after the pageant.
“In recent years, social media has become a damaging, dangerous, and toxic environment for pageant delegates. The MUPh Organization would like to create a safe space on our social media platforms for beauty queens and aspirants.
“We will be actively monitoring all MUPh platforms regularly to ensure that no derogatory, rude, mean, offensive comments persist and will be deleted immediately.
“Users, bloggers, accounts, persons or organizations that consistently engage in this toxic and negative behavior shall be immediately blocked and reported.
“Many good people turn a blind eye and ignore these injustices and accept them as mere realities of social media. But this needs to stop.
“Please join the Miss Universe Philippines Organization in this social media campaign to stop normalizing toxicity and cyberbullying on social media.”
“We can only control our own social media platforms. But it is our hope that other social media accounts and bloggers would be inspired to do it as well. Let us be proactive in uplifting and empowering women.”
The Miss Universe Philippines today
Miss Universe Philippines’ adherence to social good has manifested in many ways than one—particularly in its effort to undermine the conventional beauty standards by removing age and height restrictions on its participants.
More so, it made the effort to push beyond the boundaries by allowing married women and women with children to participate in the competition.
With all these things considered, the upcoming edition of Miss Universe in May 2024 is deemed a highly anticipated event—especially now that it also allows the participation of overseas delegates.
For the first time, participants from Australia, northern and southern California, Florida, Hawaii, Miami, Sydney, the United Kingdom, Virginia, and Washington are set to grace the competition.
READ ALSO: Here’s The List Of Candidates For Miss Universe 2024
The organization is headed by Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup-Lee under Empire Philippines.
The organization’s creative director is Jonas Gaffud—renowned queen maker who trained some of the country’s most successful beauty queens. It includes Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza.
