I was just reading my Kindle and Bob just told me something that really bothered me. He said something about a winner of the beauty contest in Bukidnon who was stripped of her title and her other awards. I asked him what’s the reason for it? Bob told me about the girl being an American citizen. He told me that he will give me the link. The name of the lady is Miss Marah Luz Smith.
So I read the link. So Miss Smith was born in the States, at the age of 3 the family moved back to Bukidnon. The mom is a Filipina. The thing that gets me on this, before the contest there supposed to be a committee, supposed to be overseeing all the contestants. It showed she passed all the requirements or she’s not gonna be there on stage and be the winner. Then, all of a sudden they felt that she’s not eligible to be the winner so just take it away from her. Is there rules on the contest that mix race were not allowed? How can you justify the stripping of her winning if the committee even said she was good to join before the contest? What made them change? It’s mind-boggling to me.
I’ve seen some contestants for our beauty pageant here the big one contest for Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Earth and others that compete abroad. Some of those contestant were born abroad and grew up there. You can tell they even had the accent from the country there from. Then the beauty contest committee were okay from it. They’ve been sent to other countries to compete. What’s the difference with the one from Bukidnon?
With the dilemma of Miss Smith it got me thinking of when my son was thinking of going to Philippine Science High School. When we went there to inquire wow the paperwork of a mixed race kids to be admitted to the school were just slim. When we saw the requirements to get to be admitted it’s just like going to get a Philippines passport. The list were just endless. 🙂 Even studying on the regular school here the mixed kids really had to pass lots of papers. Which I’m not complaining about. At least they had someone there to tell you that your papers are good or not. Same with the papers with Miss Smith they gave her the A-okay.
How could they miss looking through the papers of Miss Smith? She’s probably the only mixed race contestant on that contest. Or one or two of them. For me it’s just not fair to strip the title if the committee missed out doing their job. If Miss Smith doing bad stuff to shame the title holder then that could be justified.
What do you think guys? Feel free to share your thoughts here. I’m just hoping that the committee will see what they’re doing to the young lady. She’s really devastated right now. Hopefully they resolved the matter soon. Good luck to Miss Smith and her family. Hoping for the best for her.
Mabuhay!
The bottom line Fey is daghan na ingit, particularly the parents or somebody who supported the 1st runner up. Hay Pinoy gyud ang attitude. Basta sore lossers, mangita gyud ug paagi unsaon pag reklamo.
Hi Kuya Robert – Mao jud na ang problema daghang mga selosa sa kalibutan. The sportsmanship is not yet on the mind of the sore losers though. Really I’m blaming the committee for poor handling of the requirement papers. It’s there job to oversee everything.
Thank you for stopping by Kuya. Take care!
Unfairness anywhere is upsetting! So this child happened to be born in the US, she had a Filipina mother which gives her Philippine Citizenship automatically. The Contest could have advertised “No mestizo contestants allowed”, but then we’d be upset over a blatant display of prejudice, wouldn’t we!. As for the young woman involved, it’s just one of those lessons of life. Unfair certainly, but one of the things we have to accept in life and move on.
Hi Ronald – Yep any unfairness is upsetting. That should be the first thing the committee oversee, the papers of Miss Smith’s. They know that she’s not born here in the Philippines. It really come out that way like they’re not wanting mix race in the contest. I’m sure it’s not the way they intended it to be, but it sounds that way though.
*** As for the young woman involved, it’s just one of those lessons of life. Unfair certainly, but one of the things we have to accept in life and move on. *** — Amen to that…
Good to see you here. Thank you so much for the nice comment.
Have a great day!
Are the Filipino people racist, or just pissed off because somebody of mixed race won?
Rick, it would be unfair to stereotype the entire race as prejudiced, but I have seen it displayed more than once. I find that many Asians are, to one degree or another.
Hi Rick – Not all Filipinos are prejudiced. Just like any other countries too.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. Have a nice day!
Most filipinos are mixed race. In fact mixed race kids are very welcome and are accepted in our culture. What bothers me is how she could be disqualified… filipino citizenship is by jus sanguinis.. its determined by blood and not by place of birth. You only need to have one parent either the mother or father to claim citizenship. And she grew up here. Her american citizenship if ever she had acquired one shouldnt be a bar since filipinos can practice dual citizenship.. it wasnt racism but it seems there was someone out to get her.
Wow, excellent post Feyma! Very controversial issue, sadly racism exists in todays’ society everywhere. As for your question, in my humble opinion – No, they did not do their job correctly. Sadly racial hypocrites don’t look at themselves. Your culture – as well as mine is from a mix of ancestry (and continues to be)
Instead of embracing and appreciating someone for who they are, they want to instead ridicule or punish someone for something that person can do nothing about.
Hi Peter – Thank you so much. I know it’s a bit on the controversial side. But I felt sorry for the young lady, she did what she needs to do to be good on that contest. It paid off she won the contest. I just wish to God that the committee also did what they’re supposed to do to thoroughly look at Miss Smith’s paperwork.
*** Instead of embracing and appreciating someone for who they are, they want to instead ridicule or punish someone for something that person can do nothing about. *** — I agree with you. I hope everything will resolve soon, so that she can move on with her life.
Really good seeing you here. Thank you for the comment.
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks Bob
And Good Morning! – Maayong Buntag!
Maayong buntag pud, Peter.
Let me guess, they think she is to dark…. one of the reasons I had to leave along with many others. Yes, racism is alive and well there also.
Let me guess, they think she is to dark…. one of the reasons I had to leave along with many others. Yes, racism is alive and well there also.
It is not about darkness in this case, Umm, it is about citizenship.
It is not about darkness in this case, Umm, it is about citizenship.
I truly hope so, but than again…..I have seen and heard some ugly stuff about shades of skin there. I hope that is the case. be blessed.
I truly hope so, but than again…..I have seen and heard some ugly stuff about shades of skin there. I hope that is the case. be blessed.
Not good for sure but probably best they stopped it there. Can you imagine if she won Miss Philippines and then went on to be a contestant in Ms. World and then disqualified? That would remove any change for Philippines to be a participant at the Ms. World level. So by being disqualified for being dual nationality vice Filipino only its probably best for the Philippines overall representation in worldly contests. Just my perspective but I would add that the committee should give a better explanation of what policy/rules were not met and why it was initially overlooked that it took until now to reveal it. It does make you wonder if the runners up had anything to do with it (tattletales).
Not good for sure but probably best they stopped it there. Can you imagine if she won Miss Philippines and then went on to be a contestant in Ms. World and then disqualified? That would remove any change for Philippines to be a participant at the Ms. World level. So by being disqualified for being dual nationality vice Filipino only its probably best for the Philippines overall representation in worldly contests. Just my perspective but I would add that the committee should give a better explanation of what policy/rules were not met and why it was initially overlooked that it took until now to reveal it. It does make you wonder if the runners up had anything to do with it (tattletales).
Interesting given all of the brouhaha last year with Miss World being Filipina but born in the USA
Interesting given all of the brouhaha last year with Miss World being Filipina but born in the USA
She is a Philippine Citizen, why should she be disqualified, Mike Lette Haight? Others have been dual citizens and went on to compete in Miss Universe, Miss World, etc.
She is a Philippine Citizen, why should she be disqualified, Mike Lette Haight? Others have been dual citizens and went on to compete in Miss Universe, Miss World, etc.
Hey John, I was not aware of that but good point. However, those in charge of the contest do owe the people an explanation that details the reasons behind her disqualification and until everyone sees that explanation we’ll all speculating.
Hey John, I was not aware of that but good point. However, those in charge of the contest do owe the people an explanation that details the reasons behind her disqualification and until everyone sees that explanation we’ll all speculating.
Exactly, John!
Exactly, John!
Hey Bob, I’m not advocating nor condoning what they did is Ok, just speculating a maybe reason….have they given the official reason as yet?
Hey Bob, I’m not advocating nor condoning what they did is Ok, just speculating a maybe reason….have they given the official reason as yet?
They say it is because she is a US Citizen. But, she is also a Philippine Citizen and has the full rights of every other Philippine Citizen. My wife and kids are the same – dual citizens, and should not lose any rights because of it.
They say it is because she is a US Citizen. But, she is also a Philippine Citizen and has the full rights of every other Philippine Citizen. My wife and kids are the same – dual citizens, and should not lose any rights because of it.
Just curious….obviously she has claim to Philippine Citizenship by her being born of a Filipina mother, however when one becomes a U.S. Citizen their former country citizenship is usually removed, as is the case with filipina spouses who immigrate to the U.S. and become US Citizen but they can then apply to reacquire their Filipino Citizenship. Just wondering if she may fall into that category and technically not a Filipino Citizen. You think maybe? Again, where is the official explanation with details of their decision that which would explain it for us so we are not guessing at it. Oh well…
Just curious….obviously she has claim to Philippine Citizenship by her being born of a Filipina mother, however when one becomes a U.S. Citizen their former country citizenship is usually removed, as is the case with filipina spouses who immigrate to the U.S. and become US Citizen but they can then apply to reacquire their Filipino Citizenship. Just wondering if she may fall into that category and technically not a Filipino Citizen. You think maybe? Again, where is the official explanation with details of their decision that which would explain it for us so we are not guessing at it. Oh well…
That is incorrect, Mike Lette Haight. A person who is dual citizen by birth will never lose either of their citizenships. Both the USA and the Philippines allow Dual Citizenship, so it is not an issue. Filipina Spouses are not dual citizens by birth, they become US Citizens through Naturalization and that is a totally different thing.
Also, Mike Lette Haight, in the case of a spouse who becomes naturalized as a US citizen (does not apply to this case, but just FYI), after naturalization, she can then file for Philippine Dual Citizenship, and she would reacquire her Philippine Citizenship and be a dual citizen. It is perfectly legal, and she would retain her rights as a Philippine Citizen.
In addition Mike Lette Haight and Bob Martin, if the mother had naturalized before the girl’s birth, the child would have only US citizenship until her mother reacquires her Philippine citizenship via RA 9225. She would then become a dual citizen along with her mother. This case seems clear, that the mother was a Philippine citizen at the time of the girl’s birth, so that is not at issue.
Yes, exactly, Ron. My boys became dual citizens that way, through my wife’s acquisition of dual citizenship.
So I did some more research and in my opinion she is a Filipina. She just so happened to be born in the US with one American parent but lived in the Philippines since she was 3. She also just so happens to have the privilege of dual citizenship and a choice to be either one.
She has lived in the Philippines for well more than 50% of her life, surely that means something
She doesn’t even have to choose, Peter, she always will be a dual citizen. It is her birthright.
True…
As I said – it is a controversial issue and an excellent topic
I hope it will be put to great consideration and a voted on by not only the committee but other impartial parties as well
As I understand it, a law suit is being filed.
That doesn’t surprise me, Ron McCarthy.
A law suit in the Philippines??? Say it’s not so!!! lolol 😉 IMHO if the young lady was born in the states but RAISED for most of her life and IS a Philippine citizen to boot she qualifies for the title. However if the citizenship question was the same but was RAISED most of her life in the states, that’s a different ballgame. Just like the Olympics IMHO, it is just not fair to “shop” around for countries where you have a better advantage of winning, especially at the amateur level.
scott h, it is true! Civil suits are quite common. it doesn’t matter where the girl lived or for how long. The mere fact that she was born to a Philippine citizen makes her also a Philippine citizen. Since she was also born in the US, she is also a US citizen. In other words, she is a dual citizen with all of the rights and privileges so accorded by her respective countries. This case doesn’t have any equivalency to the Olympics or any other event. It would seem to be a clear case of prejudice against a Mestizo, a racial issue.
Lawsuits happen every day in the Philippines, this is nothing unusual.
Philippine Citizenship AND American Citizenship is her birthright. The law of each country clearly makes her a citizen. It doesn’t matter, legally, where she lived or for how long. She is a citizen of each country, and has all the rights of any other US or Philippine Citizen.
My tounge was very firmly in my cheek about the lawsuits lolol. I wasn’t commenting on the legal aspect of it at all. Just that in my personal opinion the country where a person is raised is where that person should compete at the amateur level.
I might have missed something, Marc de Piolenc, but I didn’t really see any part of the conversation going to race. The only exception was that one person said it might be about her skin being too dark. But, I don’t think that is the case at all.
OK, yeah, I forgot about that. I am like you, Marc, it is a citizenship issue, not race.
I may have mentioned the race issue. My understanding is that the winner of the contest was dethroned due to her lack of Philippine citizenship. This would indicate ignorance by the committee because we all should know that the girl is certainly a Philippine citizen by virtue of her mother’s citizenship. I suggested that what might underlay this decision was born from a racial bias against Mestizos. In any case, the girl has been shamed by the governing committee and should receive compensation from the courts and an apology from the committee, if they would be so motivated.
Sorry if I started a whole different controversy here but I didn’t mean to.
But allow me to explain…
Here is my hypothesis,
Lets suppose – If you had a group of people in a room ‘doing their job’ reviewing applicants information and paperwork and had never saw the contestant in question…everything would ‘check out’ as she is a Filipina.
Right?
Now the contestant wins the pageant and she is seen by said judges and other contestants and someone either it be a person who reviewed the applicants, judge or another contestant objects due to her appearance as she doesn’t appear to be ‘pure’ Filipina.
Now –
Look at the contest winner, and read the article where Feyma wrote ‘mixed race’ as well as the appearance of the winner where her appearance wasn’t exactly like the other contestants.
Where is the question of her legibility coming from and what is the question based on?
Her paperwork checks out – legally she IS a Filipina.
It’s a conundrum – or is it racist?
I think what it really comes down to is that somebody who did not win thought they should have won so they protested by whatever means possible.
Exactly Bob!
But again – excellent article!
Hi Feyma – If this girl is a Philippine citizen, then it could be crab mentality at work. I would have thought that a citizen of the Philippines was afforded identical rights?. If she’s a citizen of the Philippines, I would be interested to know the grounds for such a crazy decision.
Hi Brenton – Yep, that’s a big possibility. Just so sad that someone had to suffer. I’m really hoping for the best for her so that she can move on. I’m also hoping that this is an eye opener for the committee to do their job thoroughly.
*** If she’s a citizen of the Philippines, I would be interested to know the grounds for such a crazy decision. *** — Hopefully they will say the reason for it soon.
Always good to see you here. Thank you for the comment. Have a pleasant day!
Thank you to all of you for giving your opinion on the matter. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to read the article. I’m also thankful for you guys thoughts.
I’m really grateful that every time I asked for you guys advice and opinions everyone’s ready to share what’s on their minds.
Again many thanks to you all here!!!
The adults are showing bad examples to the young. If the rules and regulations regarding citizenship is not clear, they should correct it before the next contest but not dethrone her for something she didn’t have anything to do about. Filipinos abroad now can have dual citizenship, why can’t she? Especially that she grew up in the Philippines with a Filipina mother. Thumbs down to the organizers and to the governor. And if I am the first runner up I won’t accept the honor. That is grossly unfair.
Hi Feyma, it´s a late reply but in regards to the article, I do wish Miss Smith well in the future, and give thumbs down for the committee who disqualified her on such meagre grounds. I do believe however that it was a hidden agenda on the part of the committee because she was of mixed race, but claiming that it was because she was an American citizen, knowing fully well she was legally Filipina. what a load of BS(excuse me) who are they trying to fool?. That said, it does not mean that Filipinos are racist but I will even go further to say that in this special case, I believe it is because she had darker skin than the other girls, The committee should apologise for the way they treated Miss Smith but sadly that will not happen…..it´s a cruel world.
I have a different take on the Beauty Queen type of contest and what may have happened. Many years ago, when I was fresh out of photography school in Chicago, Illinois, I was assigned to photograph a city-wide beauty contest, for the Miss World organization (or it may have been Miss Universe – frankly I can’t remember exactly). Any way, the second place winner was a few pounds overweight in comparison to the typical perfect slim bodies of most contestants. Myself and a couple of other photographers wondered out loud something to the effect, “How in the heck did she make it this far?”. Well, it turned out that the main sponsor for the even was the modeling agency I worked for, and the president of that agency had placed her own niece as one of the contestant and took things to a second level by having enough “pull” with some of the judges to almost get her choses the winner.
Perhaps there was something like that going on in this contest and it had nothing to do with citizenship or race.
Certainly sad for the winner yet a thrill for the runner-up to win after all
it is logical for the majority to disapprove a mixed-race winner
proud of their history a born and bred entrant must surely win