Miss Cebu runner-up breaks long silence

CEBU - After a long silence, Miss Cebu runner-up Kimberly Therese Burden finally spoke of her “traumatic” experience of being in the middle of the Miss Cebu 2009 Globe Texter’s Choice controversy.

In a press conference yesterday, Burden re-echoed her family’s earlier statement that the special award was more important to her than winning the crown itself.

“Mas important pa nako makadaug sa Texter’s Choice kaysa sa Miss Cebu. Voice of the people gud na...unya human, kana nga award gikuha pa jud nako nga mas okay pa man nako nga dili masulod sa top five. Dako na na nga accomplishment (nako) makadaog ko og Texter’s Choice,” Burden said.

“You’ll never understand unless you’re in my place,” she added.

During the coronation night last January 14, the pageant host inadvertently announced that the Globe Texter’s Choice was Miss Cebu eventual winner Kris Tiffany Janson. Later in the show, however, it was announced that there was another Globe Texter’s Choice and that it was Burden.

Bruce Bollozos, marketing consultant of the Cebu City Tourism Commission, already claimed responsibility of the mix-up but Burden’s family contended the correction should have been made during the pageant night itself.

It turned out that Burden got 117,797 votes, at least 21,967 votes more than Janson’s 95,830.

The city already opened an inquiry into the issue and is expected to release its findings today.

Also in yesterday’s press conference, Burden’s mother Rowena, said they are not closing the possibility of elevating the matter to court if only to give justice to her daughter.

“We do know that we have solid grounds for bringing this to court… somebody was violated so somebody should answer,” Rowena said.

“My daughter is not somebody that you can pick up from the streets. She’s somebody who has credentials…she’s a student leader, an academic scholar. She competed fairly but she was humiliated twice,” she added.

Rowena also lashed at Acting Mayor Michael Rama for his statement during the awarding of the Sinulog photo contest that he did not go up the stage to personally correct the error during the pageant night reportedly because CCTC commissioner Petite Garcia might think he would sing.

“He is making a joke out of his anguish. Don’t sacrifice my daughter for your political ambitions,” Rowena said. — Marigold P. Lebumfacil/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)