Ariella Arida: Perfect English not key to win Miss Universe title

MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida admits she got affected when her comment about Latinas in a television interview became an issue.

Days before the Miss Universe pageant, radio personality Mo Twister slammed Ariella on his Instagram account over her statement in the ANC morning program “Headstart.”

In the program, Ariella was about the negative comments on her communication skills in English. Part of her answer goes: "Especially, Latinas cannot even speak a sentence, right? I mean, a complete sentence, in English."

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In an interview with ABS-CBN’s showbiz talk show “Buzz ng Bayan” on Sunday, the 24-year-old Pinay beauty queen said her comment was taken out of context.

“What I meant po naman talaga is sila nga nanalo sila using their own language,” she explained.

Ariella further said: “Feeling po ng iba, basehan yung perfect English to win the title. Kung ano yung ma-express mo na maiintindihan ng tao, doon ako.”

Of the five finalists in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant, Ariella was the only contestant in the question and answer portion without an interpreter.

Ariella said she was happy with her answer during the question and answer.

The beauty queen was asked what can be done about the lack of jobs among young people around the world who are starting their careers. Ariella said people should invest on education.

“Inisip ko nga, e—kung may time ako mag-isip pa, ano isasagot ko? Ganun pa rin po. Edukasyon pa rin isasagot ko,” she said.

“Sayang, sayang po yung pagkakataon. Pero nung nasa top five ako, sobrang saya ko na e,” Ariella said on placing fourth place.

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As for the real score between her and rumored boyfriend Ervic Vijandre, Ariella said: “Supportive po siya sa akin from the start.”

Is Ervic courting her? “Feeling ko,” she quipped, adding that the Kapuso actor is among the many reasons why she’s happy.

Ariella returned to the country last week from Moscow, Russia with little fanfare, due in part to the ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations in the areas hit by tyhoon Yolanda.