Herlene Budol apologizes for her way of answering Miss Grand Philippines interview question

Herlene Budol has apologized for her way of answering a Miss Grand Philippines interview question.

In a Facebook post, the comedienne popularly known as Hipon Girl said she was nervous and did not understand the question.

“Sa sobrang kaba ko po, hindi ko po na-explain yung kung anong gusto[ko pong sabihin,” she said.

“Sorry, I admit di po ako magaling sa lahat ng bagay and sorry kung nawalan po kayo sa 'kin ng kumpyansa sa isang pag kakamali.”

Herlene explained she didn't joke her way out the question, she really just didn't understand the question.

“Hindi ko po nilaro, di ko lang po talaga na gets yung tanong and I accept it. Hindi po ako perpekto," she said.

The beauty queen took the opportunity to thank those who still support and believe in her.

“I’ll try my best to make you proud,” she said.

In viral videos, Herlene was asked a question during the Miss Grand Philippines sashing ceremony and media conference about having millions of social media followers.

The question was, “Apart from your big social media following, what else have you got in order to win the crown?”

Herlene was visibly nervous and answered the question in a humorous way.

“Thank you for that long question for me, chariz," she began. "I have a big followers because I have a big heart. O English yon, ha? Nakapag-compose po ako kaagad. Ano nga ulit yung tanong?”

The question was then translated into Tagalog.

Herlene said, “I think this is the right time. Last year, siguro hindi ko po oras. Ang sabi nga ng adbokasiya ng Miss Grand is—ano ba yun? World peace and then… what else again? Stop the war and peace.”

She added, “Since I was young—ah ang sarap mag-English. Naranasan ko pong ma-bully sa eskuwelahan, mabugbog sa tahanan, at dumayo ako sa ibang bansa, natutukan ng tatlong baril na talagang armalite, at naging isang dayuhan. Para sa akin, ang solid ng experience na yon. In my own experience, ayokong maranasan ng iba yon.”

With these, Herlene wants to spread the message “na huwag matakot.”

“Kahit anong pinagdaanan ng mga taong laging nakangiti, may katuturan yon at ikaw yung magiging lakas ng ibang tao para maging lakas,” she said.

Towards the end, Herlene said, “Hindi ko ma-explain.” 

While she was answering, a phone rang and Herlene said, “pakisagot po ng tumatawag.”

“Sana po nasagot ko po ah, ang hirap lang po i-explain,” she said.

She was bashed for not having the poise of a beauty queen and making a “dogshow.”

Miss Grand Philippines is Herlene's second stab at beauty pageants, after becoming a first runner-up in Binibining Philipinas 2022, where she also won seven special awards.

She was set to compete in her first international pageant, Miss Planet International in 2022, but withdrew “[due] to uncertainties by the organizers.” The candidates were not treated well, she said.

Early this month, Herlene revealed that she passed the first screening of Miss Grand Philippines.

On Tuesday, Herlene teased her new pasarela, the “Grand Budol Walk."

Miss Grand Philippines will hold its coronation event on July 13.

Aside from pageantry, Herlene is the star of the upcoming GMA series, “Magandang Dilag.”

— Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News