'Malayo!': Joy Barcoma welcomes hosting praises, Catriona Gray comparisons
MANILA, Philippines — Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma is eager to improve her hosting skills after receiving praise over the weekend for emcee duties during the inaugural Reinas Filipinas Grand International competition.
Joy shared hosting duties with fellow pageant personality Sean Kyle Ortega as Palawan delegate Angelica Lopez bested 20 other aspirants to win the first-ever title.
Numerous individuals including fashion designer Michael Cinco lauded Joy and Sean's hosting last August 7, comments that Joy took to heart.
The beauty queen spoke to members of the media, including Philstar.com, after she hosted the press conference for Netflix film "Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon" in Newport World Resorts to further reflect on the praise she received.
Joy raved over being commended by a world-renowned designer like Cinco, as well as the appreciation of the pageant community who watched the Reinas Filipinas coronation.
"Imagine mo ganung klaseng tao is willing to give commendation lalo na nakita niya 'yung talent, doon ako natutuwa," the beauty queen said.
She expressed gratitude to her glam team that evening, particularly makeup artist Val "Zeea" Asunscion, hairstylist Edmark Dela Pena, and drag queen Viñas DeLuxe for lending a blonde wig.
Joy was also flattered to hear comparisons to fellow beauty queen Catriona Gray, who has also hosted several pageants since her Miss Universe 2018 reign.
"Nakikita ko siya pero feeling ko malayong-malayo. I love Miss Catriona, her eloquence, the way she speaks... feeling ko parehas lang kami mabilis mag-salita!" Joy laughed.
The beauty queen reiterated her gratitude to those with an eye for talent, especially after she prepared hard for the event and is always eager for a platform to be better.
Joy also thanked pageant organizer and shoe designer Jojo Bragais, reigning Miss Grand International Emma Tiglao, and Miss Grand International executive Nawat Itsaragrisil.
She ended her conversation with the media confirming that there are no plans to compete in pageants anymore, pointing out that she already has a platform to perform her advocacies.
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