Herlene Nicole Budol is finally seeing the silver lining of her journey in Uganda.
The Philippine representative to Miss Planet International 2022 and several candidates had been vocally upset about the pageant's hotel accommodation and lack of food.
While it was confirmed that the competition would be moved to January 2023 in Cambodia, Herlene still couldn't help but feel hopeless.
Thankfully, her fellow Filipinos in the area came to the rescue.
On November 21, 2022, Herlene uploaded an Instagram post that shared her appreciation for the support she received.
The 23-year-old beauty queen wrote (published as is), "Sobra pa sa korona yung maiuuwi ko para sa pilipinas.
"Dahil sa baon kong aral na natutunan. napatunayan kong Sa Ora’s ng pangangaylangan May pilipinong mag dadamayan kahit saang bansa panalo ang Pilipinas
"with or without crown I’m proud to a Filipina [Philippine flag emoji]
"Salamat Sa Filipino community Sa uganda [Ugandan flag emoji]"
WHY PEOPLE LOVE TO HELP HERLENE
At the JAG PH send-off on October 21, 2022, Herlene was asked why she thinks people are keen on helping her.
She answered, "Di ko po alam. Siguro ano yun, yung pagiging unique ko sa sarili ko.
"Yun yung pagiging pagpapakatotoo ko sa sarili ko na ipinapakita ko, na hindi ako nagfi-filter ng kung sino yung pagkatao ko, kung saan ako nagmula.
"Siguro yun yung nakaka-relate yung ibang tao kaya tumutulong sa akin.
"At yung mga iba naman na hindi nakaka-relate, yun yung naku-curious kung ano ba ang meron sa akin, kaya sila tumutulong."
Meanwhile, Herlene also mentioned her motivation to keep learning.
The 23-year-old Kapuso takes pride in referring to herself as a "bobo na talagang [gusto] matuto sa lahat ng bagay."
She explained, "Kasi para sa akin, ang bobo, yung willing matuto. Yun ako.
"So proud akong tawagin akong bobo kasi patay-gutom yung utak ko na makakuha ng knowledge ng ibang tao. 'Tapos i-feed ko din sa iba, kumbaga cycle iyan e."
Her manner of walking is an example of how Herlene applies the lessons she learned from the coaches in her team.
She related, "Nakita niyo naman ako kung paano ako maglakad talaga, di ba? Di ako yung pa-girl na tao.
"Di ako yung tipo ng babae na super mahinhin, prim and proper. Hindi ako yun.
"Pero grabe naturuan nila ako."
She added in amazement, "Lahat pala ng bagay talaga natututunan.
"Kaya para sa akin, habang nabubuhay ka, dapat kahit gaano ka na katanda, may mga bagay ka pang hindi nalalaman at yun ang dapat mong alamin."
She also thanked Sir Ryan for teaching her how to carry herself especially during interviews.
Herlene recounted, "Naalala niyo noong unang presscon ko, ang sinabi ko sa social issue, 'Ayoko ng maraming issue. Wag na natin talakayin yun.'
"Yun pala hindi ko pala talaga siya alam. So siya yung nagturo sa akin ng social issue, kung ano yung nangyayari sa mundo."
In the meantime, while waiting for her flight home to the Philippines, Herlene is making the most out of her time in Uganda by visiting the safari parks with her team.
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