Miss Universe Philippines 2014 Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa expressed her opinion regarding the alleged ‘indecent proposals’ and ‘sexual exploitations’ that are going on behind the scenes of the pageant world in the country.
To recall, a documentary titled The Hidden Side of Philippines Beauty Pageants from Undercover Asia, a Singapore-based investigative TV show, featured the things that are taking place behind the camera before and during the pageants that was released in April.
The documentary featured Binibining Pilipinas World 2008 titleholder Janina San Miguel, who revealed that she received indecent proposals during her time as a pageant candidate.
She said, “Noong nandoon na kami, sinabi na 3 million (pesos) for a one-night stand. ‘Yung 25 million (pesos), gagawin ka niyang girlfriend, bibigyan ka niya ng car, condo, resort, lahat. Ayon na nga ‘yung maduming kalakaran nila. Ang dami talagang gustong maging girlfriend or wife ang isang beauty queen.”
She even wished that she never joined the beauty pageants, the reason why she chose to turn her back on pageants and showbiz.
Aside from San Miguel, Miss Multinational 2017 Sophia Senoron also attested that she also experienced the same thing. “The biggest thing that I was offered was bahay, condo, car, everything. [And] makapal pa ‘yung mukha [kasi] hindi pa sa ‘kin diniretso, sa nanay ko,” she admitted.
Following these overwhelming revelations from her co-beauty queens, Lastimosa was asked by her fans and followers if she received indecent proposals when she was still a titleholder.
Through The Philippine Pageantry Ashtie Nights’ Facebook Live last Sunday, June 14, the 32-year-old beauty queen shared her reaction.
She admitted, “Actually, I’ve never heard of the documentary until some, few fans comment on my Instagram and asking me if I accepted the indecent proposal in exchange for millions, and I was very surprised.
“Sa comments section, ‘Isa ka ba dun sa tumanggap? Ha?! I would have had a Jaguar or a mansion. Hahaha!’” she added.
She also pointed out that it’s not right to say that all those who joined the pageant had the same experience because “it’s unfair for all the Filipino women who are competing too, who are actually lucky to have a group of people who are protecting them.”
Lastimosa added that during her time, she was being protected by her pageant camps- Aces and Queens and KF [Kagandahang Flores], as well as the Binibining Pilipinas organization.
“I was traveling all around the Philippines with a lady guard who sleeps with me even inside my room to protect me,” Mary Jean Lastimosa said.
Lastimosa, also admitted that she felt sad about the documentary. Even though it’s purpose is to give the audience some knowledge and insights about the on-goings of the pageant world in the Philippines, it somehow created a grim image of the whole pageantry community.
“So, for them discrediting the whole… kasi parang na-generalize… for them just discrediting the whole pageantry, saying that there’s a bad side in every pageant is not fair.”
