Filipino-American pageant titleholder Brandon Espiritu has deactivated his social media accounts following intense backlash over his controversial remarks about “halfies” or mixed-race Filipino contestants.
The controversy erupted after Espiritu responded to a netizen who questioned why he did not sing a Filipino song during a gathering with international pageant candidates.
His response quickly drew criticism online.
“Tell that to all the front runners for the Philippines. This country wouldn’t have a chance on the national stage without us halfies,” Espiritu wrote.
Many netizens took issue with the statement, interpreting it as dismissive of full-blooded Filipino aspirants and suggesting that mixed-race candidates have an advantage when representing the country in international competitions.
The remark quickly went viral, triggering widespread criticism from pageant fans, social media users, and several personalities within the pageant community.
The backlash was immediately reflected on Espiritu’s social media accounts.
Before deactivating his Instagram profile, his follower count reportedly dropped significantly within days. From more than 214,000 followers, the number reportedly fell to around 198,000 as criticism intensified online.
His Facebook presence also experienced a similar decline in engagement and support.
As of writing, Espiritu’s social media accounts have been deactivated, making them inaccessible to the public.
Some observers believe the move was intended to allow him to step away from the growing controversy and avoid further online attacks, while others noted that deactivation effectively halted the continued decline in his follower count.
The controversy also reportedly affected Espiritu’s professional relationships, with several supporters and affiliated brands distancing themselves from the pageant titleholder following the backlash.
Espiritu represented the Philippines at the 2024 edition of the Mister Supranational 2024 in Poland, where he finished as second runner-up.
His achievements in pageantry had previously earned him a substantial following both in the Philippines and abroad.
The issue also affected fellow Filipino-American pageant titleholder Jether Palomo, who became involved after commenting on an Instagram reel connected to the controversy.
Palomo’s remark, “I pledge allegiance to the flag,” which he later explained was a reference to being born in the United States, sparked criticism from netizens who viewed it as insensitive given the ongoing debate.
Like Espiritu, Palomo also experienced a drop in followers. Reports indicated that his Instagram following decreased from around 222,000 to approximately 213,000 within a matter of days.
In response, Palomo issued a public apology and explained the context behind his comment.
“I would like to address the recent issue and speak directly from my heart,” he wrote.
He explained that the comment stemmed from a lighthearted moment during a friend’s birthday celebration where attendees were asked to sing songs from their native languages.
“I now understand that my words caused hurt and I take full responsibility for them. For that I sincerely apologize. Intent doesn’t erase impact. I understand why some people were disappointed and I own that completely,” Palomo said.
He also stressed his pride in both his Filipino heritage and American birthplace.
“I am a full Filipino who was born in the United States. I am proud of where I was born but I am equally proud of my Filipino heritage.”
“I owe so much to this country and representing the Philippines has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, something I do not take for granted.”
The controversy generated discussions throughout the local pageant community, prompting reactions from several well-known personalities, including Wynwyn Marquez, CJ Opiaza, Gazini Ganados, and actress-beauty queen Stacey Gabriel. Their responses reflected broader conversations about representation, identity, and what it means to carry the Philippine flag on the international stage.
As of writing, Espiritu has yet to release a public statement addressing the controversy or explaining his decision to deactivate his social media accounts.
