MANILA, Philippines — Following the controversy involving at least three Miss Earth 2018 contestants who alleged a pageant sponsor of sexual harassment and indecent proposals, the press asked Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray on her take on the matter.
During her send-off together with Miss Supranational Philippines Jehza Huelar on Monday, Catriona told Philstar.com her thoughts about the Miss Earth candidates’ experience.
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“I think it’s great that women are coming forward and speaking their truth or what they feel is affecting them. Because if not for them speaking out, there won’t be any awareness or light on the issue,” Catriona said.
“As far as I’ve read, the organization concerned is taking it very seriously and looking into the legality of it. So, I think it’s great that they’ve spoken about it. We need to make women feel secure and safe enough to speak up when it’s wrong, so I think it’s great that they’ve come forward.”
Her advice to other candidates faced with the same dilemma or if she is the one who would get an indecent proposal, she said: “Well, go straight to the organization.”
She assured that “Binibining Pilipinas and all of its staff are very strict with us Binibinis. They always take extra effort and care to make sure that we’re in a comfortable position and I know that if I go straight to them, it would be handled agad. So I have utmost confidence that Binibini would handle it.” — Video by Deni Bernardo, editing by EC Toledo IV
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