Herlene Budol tearfully says Miss Grand Philippines is her last pageant

Herlene Nicole “Hipon Girl” Budol tearfully revealed that Miss Grand Philippines will be her last pageant in her latest YouTube video titled “Bakit moko iniwan sir wilbert?”

Her manager Wilbert Tolentino resigned from his post earlier this week.

The comedienne turned beauty queen said that she is happy to be crowned as Miss Philippines Tourism 2023, because “natupad na po 'yung pangarap ko na magkaroon po ako ng crown.”

However, Herlene added, “Kaso nga lang, si Budol, nabudol.”

In an emotional clip, she said that after three pageants, “Ibig sabihin, wag na nating ipilit. Ibig sabihin po nun, ako po si Herlene Nicole Budol, na nagsasabi: sorry Pilipinas. This is my last pageant, ba-bye. Herlene Nicole Budol, I’m signing off.”

Herlene then broke down in the video.

“Hindi po ako umaarte ah,” she said. “Nasasaktan lang po ako kasi parang totoo po 'yung sinasabi niyo na parang pinipilit ko lang po talaga na sumali, na hindi ko po deserve, nagsusubok lang po ako."

“Nagsusubok lang po ako na abutin 'yung mga pangarap ko, na magkaroon po ako ng crown, na ma-represent ko po 'yung Pilipinas pero hindi ko po pala kaya,” she added.

Herlene mentioned that netizens said that she can’t represent the Philippines and that she should accept reality.

“Humihingi po ako ng sorry sa inyong lahat,” she said. “Sa mga may ayaw po sa ‘kin, titigil na po ako. Hindi ko na po ipipilit 'yung sarili ko.”

Herlene also thanked her supporters. She said that she had fully accepted her decision and also hopes that a Filipino beauty queen will speak in Tagalog in an international pageant.

She added that despite not competing in pageants, she will continue with her mission of making people happy and serving as an inspiration.

“Hindi po porket hihinto po ako sa kung ano po 'yung nasimulan ko ay ibig sabihin po sumuko ako,” she said. “Patuloy pa rin po ang laban, baka malay niyo sa ibang journey naman po ako dalin ng Panginoon.”

In a statement, ALV Pageant Circle and Miss Grand Philippines said, “we have not yet issued any official confirmation regarding Miss Grand Philippines Tourism 2023 Herlene Budol's participation in the Miss Tourism World pageant.”

The organizers added that they “have since ceased from using the Miss Tourism World Philippines title.”

"Our Miss Philippines Tourism title is a generic title with no contractual obligation to any international pageant,” they added.

Prior to Miss Grand Philippines, Herlene was named Binibining Pilipinas 2022 first runner-up, and garnered seven special awards.

Herlene was also set to compete in Miss Planet International in 2022, but withdrew “[due] to uncertainties by the organizers” and that the candidates were not treated well.

Aside from pageantry, Herlene is the star of the GMA series, “Magandang Dilag.” —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News