Giving her family a new home is a crowning achievement for Herlene Budol.
Was it just last year when Herlene, then known as Hipon Girl, tearfully revealed losing all her savings during the pandemic?
Back then, she described her financial situation this way: "Ayoko nang magpakita sa pamilya ko kasi nahihiya ako. Back to zero kami.
“Walang-wala na talaga. Kahit hanggang ngayon, wala na ulit akong pinagkukunan ng pera talaga kasi sa akin lahat umaasa talaga ang pamilya ko.
"Dati pagkain lang, ngayon pati kuryente sa akin."
So many things had happened since then, and she was able to turn things around.
On August 4, 2022, the Binibining Pilipinas 2022 first runner-up gave a sneak peek of her family's new home in Angono, Rizal.
The vlog was uploaded on YouTube with the title BAGONG HOUSE AND LOT NI HERLENE BUDOL.
HOW SHE GOT THE HOUSE?
In the first part of her vlog, Herlene revealed her main motivation behind joining the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
Her talent manager Wilbert Tolentino, who was crowned as the first Mr. Gay World Philippines in 2009, truly believed in her potential.
The 22-year-old beauty queen said of Wilbert, "Sobrang generous niyang tao, ang unang minotivate niya sa akin, 'Nak sumali ka, hindi naman para sa akin ito, e, para naman sa iyo ito, e.'
"Hindi talaga siya tumigil na i-push ako every day na magkikita kami. Sinasabi niya sa akin, 'Kaya mo iyan, ano ka ba.'"
When Wilbert promised her a house and lot if she joined the pageant, that pushed Herlene to make up her mind.
"Praktikal na tayo, hindi naman kami mayaman ng pamilya ko. Kung nakikita niyo naman sa mga vlog namin, wala kaming kisame, mainit yung bahay namin, magulo yung bahay namin," she confessed.
"Isa yun sa pangarap ko, na magkaroon kami ng bahay."
Read also: Herlene Budol reveals real reason for joining Binibining Pilipinas: "Praktikal na tayo"
House reveal
It was an emotional house reveal for Herlene and her family, especially her most special person and grandparent, Tatay Oreng.
As Wilbert led the house tour, Tatay Oreng looked surprised and was speechless even as they asked him what he thought of the house.
To lighten up the sentimental and life-changing moment within the Budol household, Herlene joked, pointing at that the large window, "Pag gusto mo huminga nang konti, diyan ka. 'Tapos halimbawa gusto mong magrebelde, paparty ka, diyan ka dadaan.
"Halimbawa hindi kita pinayagan, 'tapos gusto mo tumakas, mag-tugs-tugs ka, diyan ka dumaan. Hindi kita mapapansin."
Her jokes made everyone in the room laugh aloud.
THE MISSING MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
Once they settled down in the living room, Herlene explained why her family is experiencing mixed emotions.
"Parang ang bigat, yung saya namin naghahalo na sobra. Masaya kami kasi may bahay ganyan.
"[Pero] sayang wala si nanay, 'tapos di namin ma-feel na may bago kaming bahay kasi parang panaginip lang.
"'Tay gising na tayo tara, almusal tayo," she joked with her tatay again.
"'Tay pag may mga friends ka 'tapos gigimmick kayo, dito na lang kayo sa bahay. Party place mo na talaga ito 'Tay."
Herlene also flashed a photo of her Nanay Bireng who passed away earlier that month. "'Nay eto yung bahay, tignan mo blue yung ano, bahay."
Talking to Tatay Oreng, she added, "'Tay kay Sir Wilbert lahat iyan 'Tay. 'Di matutupad lahat ng pangarap natin kung wala siya."
Wilbert then shared how proud he is of Herlene's priorities.
He said, "Naging praktikal lang din siya. Una, ayaw niya rin magpaayos. Sabi ko para sa ikabubuti para sa career mo, ayan gawin mo.
"Ang pinangako ni Herlene this coming [July] 17, graduation niya, may bahay na para sa iyo Tatay, at huling regalo niya yung korona. Pipilitan niyang magkaroon siya ng korona."
Because of her determination, Herlene finally ticked all the boxes to her three wishes before the end of July.
WHO BOUGHT THE HOUSE
Before the vlog ended, Herlene tearfully thanked Wilbert, whom she fondly calls Mima, for helping her fulfill her dream.
"'Di ako makapagsalita. Sobrang saya nung buong pamilya ko ngayon. Masaya ako na masaya yung pamilya ko. Hindi ko in-imagine sa buong buhay ko na mangyayari sa amin 'to. Mima, I love you. Salamat nang madami," she stated while crying.
She then addressed her Tatay and said, "Kasi kahit anong trabaho ko, Tatay, hindi ko kayang ibigay sa inyo yung ganitong kagandang buhay. Kahit hindi ako kumain nang isang buong taon, hindi ko kaya ibigay sa inyo ito. Si Sir Wilbert lang talaga lahat.
"Kaya sobrang salamat Mima, kasi wala na kaming hihilingin pa. Binigay mo na lang lahat," she said as Wilbert leaned in for a hug.
"Talagang ginamit ka ng Panginoon na instrumento para maging pangalawang magulang ni tatay.
"Kaya si nanay napanaginipan ko kaninang umaga kasi siguro ginising niya ako. 'Nak, gising na.'
"'Nay, eto na bahay natin, tara na dito umuwi ka na," she shouted in the open space.
"Hindi ako magiging malungkot kasi sobrang saya itong araw na talagang ito para sa amin lahat.
"Kahit umiyak ako ng dugo dito, hindi na mababayaran yung binigay niyo sa aming pagpapahalaga, Mima. Kaya susuklian namin ng buong pamilya ko lahat," Herlene concluded.
To which Wilbert replied, "Prayers lang okay na sa akin. Isama niyo ako sa prayers, malaking bagay na sa akin."
The family along with close friends then chanted, "Budol residence!" before heading off for their celebratory group dinner.
READ MORE:
- Herlene Budol pays courtesy call to senators: “Salamat po sa pag invite”
- Herlene Budol set to compete in international pageants
- Herlene Budol on answering Binibining Pilipinas 2022 question in Filipino: "Huwag matakot maging iba!"
- Herlene Budol reveals lucky charms in Binibining Pilipinas 2022 journey
- Herlene Budol vows Binibining Pilipinas 2022 to be her last