
Many were shocked after the Miss International 2013 titleholder Bea Rose Santiago spoke about her sexual harassment encounters.
The model and actress revealed in a Facebook post on Monday, November 12, that she was a victim of not just one, but four cases of sexual exploitation.
She said that she was molested by a priest as a child in her hometown in Masbate. "I was molested when I was a child by a priest. He is still preaching somewhere in Masbate."
But this wasn't just the unpleasant event she experienced as a young girl.
At 12 years old, a much older pageant winner guy also tried to swoon her.
"I was told “why are you born too late! or sus sayang ka Bea, kong napanganak ka lang mas maaga” by a pageant guy winner. I WAS 12 YEARS OLD AND HE WAS 21."
The 28-year-old beauty also disclosed how she was touched inappropriately by a well-known businessman whom she did not name.
She recounted, "I was once touched inappropriately by a well-known businessman. This guy is a well-known CEO of a big company (companies pa nga e) he even organized parties for girls who didn't win with his friends (I think “hoping” they stopped it)."
Bea Rose continued: The next time I met him I was a candidate and the organizers were there to see things thoroughly. He couldn't interact with us because the chairwoman was present and so as the chaperones. Still, he was talking nonsense to us "
Through her disgusting encounter with the CEO, Bea managed to protect her co-beauty queen from the pervert.
"We were at the congress or senate? when a Queen was touched (her behind) while taking a photo. She immediately told me (with a help me look) so I put my hand covering her back protecting her from the “old well-known perv” We just won an international pageant but still "
Lastly, Bea expressed her dismay over a co-worker.
"I was working when I posed with a middle-aged man (I had a feeling he was a perv) so I put both my hands behind me. He still managed to “accidentally swing his hand touching my behind," she recounted.
Bea admitted that she felt guilty for not speaking up before, but she hopes that this may serve as a reminder that sexual harassment can happen to anyone.
"It happens. No matter how careful you are. No matter how Big/ popular/old/ “religious” a person is, HE CAN STILL BE A PERVERT.
"I still feel guilty for not speaking up and file complaints or SLAP THE HELL OUT OF THEM. I guess speaking up now will help the future Queens," she ended.