Is there such a thing as too much inclusivity? Pageant fans weigh in on Miss Universe's rule changes

After waiving its rule against candidates who are moms and wives, the Miss Universe Organization also announced in September last year the removal of age limits for its candidates in hopes of further promoting inclusivity.

These changes can now also be observed in the local pageant scene, as just recently, a 69-year-old fashion designer made waves online after joining Miss Universe Philippines—Quezon City.

While some pageant fans appreciate the organization’s efforts toward inclusivity, others have expressed their dismay, disagreeing with the recent changes.

GMA News Online spoke to four Filipino pageant fans and asked them for their opinions on the recent Miss Universe changes.

According to pageant vlogger Sherman Gamboa, beauty pageants, including the prestigious Miss Universe, have come a long way in many aspects and are no longer just pageants for external beauty.

“It is more on what you have to offer to the world. In order for you to win, a beautiful face is not enough, you should have the mind, the heart and the work to back it up! It has now become a job that you should be ready for, physically, mentally and spiritually,” he said.

Sherman added that when it comes to inclusivity, he is “all for it.” However, boundaries should be set, too.

“It is like, what if every student can just go to Harvard? Or what if I declare myself as a citizen of Canada?” he said, adding that there are designated pageants for married women and transwomen.

“At the end of the day, we live in a world with lines, rules, and boundaries. We should respect that. I don't make the rules and I respect Miss Universe's rules,” he said. “To answer your question about inclusivity in Miss Universe, I am not against it but I am NOT OKAY with it.”

Content creator Pao Caniamino has similar thoughts as Sherman, saying he’s happy with the inclusive moves but he thinks it’s “too much.”

Pao hopes that there are at least some limitations regarding the rules being implemented.

“Personally, I am a fan of mothers to enter the Miss Universe stage; however, it should have at least age requirements. Let’s say, they can extend the age requirements from 18 to 32 or 18 to 35 but removing the age requirements, for me it’s a big no no,” he said.

“I am open for inclusivity but with limitations,” he added.

Meanwhile, Darel Pallesco thinks that the recent Miss Universe rule adjustments are a “transformation for the greater glory.”

“With the pursuit of Miss Universe Organization to take down old-school norms, it has undeniably opened its gate to bigger counts of beauty queen dreamers and to what seems to be forgotten by many,” Darel said, adding that they are aware of other people’s negative reactions in recent months.

“It’s human nature,” they added. “But they tend to forget their reservations and celebrate the likes of Miss Universe Philippines Quezon City candidate (competing at 69 years old), Miss Universe 2023 Colombia (Top 5 and a mother and wife), Miss Universe 2020 Australia Maria Thattil (a relatively short girl), and Miss Universe 2018 Spain, Miss Universe 2023 Netherlands and Portugal (all transwomen).”

Darel said that, after all, life has always been “a survival of the fittest.”

RJ Ignacio was just as positive as Darel.

He said that beauty pageants need to evolve for them to stay relevant in modern times.

“We have Miss Universe na pinapanood kasi sumasabay sila sa agos ng panahon and still thriving and remain meaningful compared sa mga traditional na beauty pageants unti-unti na nawawala,” RJ said.

“One of the advocacies of Miss Universe is women empowerment. ‘Pag sinabi kasing women, hindi lang naman ‘to nagtatapos from the ages of 18 to 28 years old. Ang mga kababaihan, maraming mukha, shapes, colors, and ages,” he added.

Like Darel, RJ was aware that there were naysayers.

“I know maraming tumataas ang kilay kasi nga hindi pa tayo sanay. Same lang ito ng issue a long time ago na ang mga nagpa-surgeries, patas ba kapag sumali sa beauty pageants? And ‘yung ‘pag gamit din ng interpreter, patas ba ‘yun?  Pero since nasanay na tayo, kaya acceptable na ung mga gano’n,” he said.

RJ reminded fellow pageant fans that whoever the contestants are, whatever their status, shape, or age, the criteria for judging is still the same.

“Yes, open na for all because of what we called inclusivity but I think ‘yung traditional beauty queen pa din ang kokoronahan,” he said. —JCB, GMA Integrated News