Joy Barcoma, Justine Gabionza join conversation on 'halfies' in pageants

Miss Philippines – Earth beauties Joy Barcoma and Justine Gabionza have joined the conversation, albeit belatedly, about the issue of Filipino-foreigners, or “halfies” in pageants, following the controversial remarks of pageant kings Brandon Espiritu and Jether Palomo.

Barcoma, the reigning Miss Philippines Earth, took to social media to share a live video in which she said that those seeking to represent the country in international competitions should know how to speak Filipino, or at least understand it.

The clip already expired but netizens were able to reupload it.

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“I’m so disappointed kase parang ni-represent mo na ang Philippines tapos ang baba pa rin ng tingin mo sa mga Pinoy. And it’s not even about being a half-Filipino. It’s the mindset towards Filipinos kasi half-[foreigner] ka,” she said.

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Barcoma said that Filipinos may also be to blame for such a mentality because they put a premium on foreigners of those who have foreign blood in them, extending privileges to those who have “eurocentric” features, or lighter skin color.

“Kasi, masyado nating [nilagay] sa pedestal yung mga taong may hitsura, lalo na yung mga eurocentric yung features. Di ba, lagi nating sinasabi na kapag eurocentric ang features, laging, ‘Anong lahi mo?’ Ganyan-ganyan, or ‘Ano ka, half ka?’ Lagi tayong ganyan, di ba? Tapos parang iba yung respeto natin kapag foreigner. Tingnan niyo, kapag foreigner ang bisita, parang ambait-bait natin. Pero kapag kapwa Pinoy, parang wala tayo masyadong pasensiya,” she further said.

On the other hand, the outspoken beauty queen said the “halfie” beauty queens and kings who may be targeting pageant titles under the Filipino banner should be able to at least sing the Philippine national anthem, and know “basic words and phrases” in the vernacular.

She cited 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray, and reigning Miss Universe Philippines Bea Millan-Windorski as part-foreign queens worth supporting.

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“Sila iyong talagang inaral ang kultura natin at talagang in-immerse ang sarili nila rito, lalo na si Catriona, ‘di ba? Dinala niya pa sa international stage ‘yong mga simbolismo ng bansa natin. Si Bea naman, inaral niya ang history ng Philippines. Kasama pa iyon sa talks and meetings niya,” said Barcoma, who will be relinquishing her Miss Philippines – Earth crown to her successor.

The lucky lady will be chosen at the final competition that will be held in Malitbog, Bukidnon, on June 27.

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As for 2002 Miss Philippines-Air Justine Gabionza, who won the Miss Tourism Queen International crown in 2006, those who carried the Philippines globally should always be proud of being Filipino.

“I represented the Philippines, I’m pure Filipino and I’m proud of it. We are all beautiful in our own way. The fact that you represented the country, and you won, you should be proud of it,” she told Inquirer Entertainment at the 2026 Miss Philippines Earth judging for “Fitness and Form” and “Beauty of Face” held recently.

Gabionza surmised that these part-foreign Filipinos could be espousing a feeling of superiority over “pure” Filipinos because “they’re getting special treatment from other people.”

The issue stemmed from 2024 Mister Supranational runner-up Brandon Espiritu’s reply to a comment on a now-deleted reel on social media, wherein he quipped, “this country wouldn’t have a chance on the national stage without us halfies.”

Also dragged into the conversation was 2025 Mister Pilipinas Global Jether Palomo, a semifinalist in the Mister Global tilt, who declared that he was pledging his allegiance to the United States flag.

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Because of their remarks, they have been labeled as opportunists, while their social media following dwindled significantly while some of their brand endorsements pulled out due to the backlash. /edv