Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma may not have had the traditional farewell walk during the Miss Philippines Earth 2026 coronation night, but she received an emotional sendoff at the LoveLaban Pride Festival 2026 held at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Saturday, June 27.
Prior to the pageant’s coronation night in Bukidnon, Barcoma confirmed through social media that she would not be having a farewell walk. Despite the change in plans, she expressed gratitude to her supporters and the Miss Philippines Earth Organization for giving her the opportunity to wear the crown.
“Tonight, I may not have a farewell walk. But perhaps that is the greatest reminder that a legacy is never measured by the number of steps she takes on stage but by footprints she leaves in the lives of others.”
Instead, Barcoma made a surprise appearance at the annual Pride Month celebration, where organizers and hosts turned the event into her own symbolic “final walk.”
Host KaladKaren (Jervi Wrightson) introduced the beauty queen with a playful reference to the earlier controversy.
“Didn’t she not have her final walk? But sorry, she will have her final walk here at LoveLaban 2026!”
Barcoma, dressed in a white gown accented with a rainbow-colored sash, walked across the stage as thousands of festival attendees cheered. Fellow hosts Justine Peña described her as “a queen amongst queens,” while Migs Almendras remarked that she was “truly deserving of her final walk.”
Addressing the crowd, Barcoma thanked everyone for the warm welcome and expressed her support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I’m so happy to be here. Maraming maraming salamat po sa mainit na pagtanggap… sa pagmamahal. At siyempre, nandito po tayo lahat para ipaglaban ang ating karapatan. Mabuhay ang LGBTQIA+ community!”
She also shared how meaningful the moment was for her, saying she never imagined her farewell walk would happen at a Pride celebration.
“Gusto ko pong magpasalamat kasi I’ve been waiting for this moment. And I did not expect that I will do it here pero maraming salamat because I would always like to do with people that supported me and loved me and that welcomed me.”
Barcoma’s appearance at LoveLaban came after the Miss Philippines Earth Organization confirmed that she would no longer participate in the coronation night program, a decision that disappointed many pageant fans. Her attendance at the Pride Festival was reportedly made possible after her schedule unexpectedly became available.
During her reign, Barcoma gained recognition not only for representing environmental advocacy but also for speaking out on social issues. She drew public attention after using the Miss Earth stage to discuss corruption and its impact on environmental protection and climate resilience.
An outspoken ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, Barcoma also used the LoveLaban stage to reaffirm her support for equality, inclusion, and respect for every individual’s identity.
