Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Ariella Arida apologizes for 'offensive' comment

MANILA, Philippines – BB. Pilipinas-Universe 2013 Ariella Arida took to social media to apologize for a comment she made in an interview that turned viral.

To recall, radio DJ Mo Twister posted a video clip of Arida being interviewed by Karen Davila in her ANC morning program “Headstart”— her last interview with the local media before heading out to Moscow, Russia for the Miss Universe competition. 

READ: Mo Twister slams Ariella Arida over 'offensive' comment about Latinas

In the clip, Arida can be seen saying: “To really express myself, to convey a message to the people.”

“Especially, Latinas cannot even speak a sentence, right? I mean, a complete sentence, in English.”

The statement was part of Arida's answer in response to Davila's question about her communication skills in English.

Mo said of Arida’s comment: “I don’t intend to bash on out Ms. Philippines here but how the f--- is this not considered offensive toward Latinas? I mean, we ALWAYS get so sensitive when someone says anything about us Filipinos (see Dan Brown, Alec Baldwin and every other time we screamed murder) yet our girl representing our country, in a legit interview regarding the competition, says Latinas can’t out a sentence together in English.”

On her official Twitter account after the clip turned viral, Arida said:

OM sorry. I didn't mean to offend anyone from my last interview. I hope you guys can understand what Im trying to say. uD83DuDE1EuD83DuDE18

— Ariella Arida (@araarida) October 22, 2013

Based on her Instagram account, it looks like Arida has already landed in Russia.

Meanwhile, beauty queen trainer and Arida’s manager Jonas Gaffud said he respects Mo, “as we all should. “Respect is something lacking in our society that makes the world more complicated to live in. He also said:

1. I have nothing against Mo Twister. But to clarify, Ara meant lang she's ok with her communications skills because a lot of other girls...

— jonas antonio gaffud (@jonasofmercator) October 22, 2013

2. ..don't speak good english in Miss Universe. It's about speaking English in pageants, not to downgrade anyone who doesn't speak well.

— jonas antonio gaffud (@jonasofmercator) October 22, 2013

Our Miss Philippines, Ara Arida is very humble. So i hope people won't judge her on how some people interpret it. Peace to all. :-)

— jonas antonio gaffud (@jonasofmercator) October 22, 2013

Arida will compete with 86 other contestants for the much-coveted Miss Universe title this Nov. 9.