A farewell walk will not be part of reigning Miss Philippines Earth Joy Barcoma's final night as queen.
Hours before the Miss Philippines Earth 2026 coronation on Friday, June 27, Joy reveals through a lengthy Facebook post that she will not be taking the traditional walk usually reserved for outgoing titleholders.
"Tonight, I may not have a farewell walk.
"But perhaps that is the greatest reminder that a legacy is never measured by the number of steps she takes on stage but by footprints she leaves in the lives of others."
Instead of dwelling on what she will miss, the Pambansang Jusa chooses to look back on her reign with gratitude.
"As my reign comes to a close, I choose gratitude above everything else.
"To everyone who believed in me, supported me, and loved me from the very beginning, maraming maraming salamat po."
Joy says one of her biggest accomplishments was making the most of every opportunity she received during her reign.
"If there is one thing I am ultimately proud of, it is that I devoted myself to making this reign meaningful.
"I maximized every platform I was given and I pursued every opportunity to serve, even if it meant walking much of that journey on my own.
"I have never waited for doors to open for me. I have knocked on them myself so I can pass this title better than I found it."
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Joy reflects on challenges during her reign
While expressing gratitude, Joy also hints at the challenges she faced behind the scenes.
"This journey also reminded me that support doesn't always come from every corner, even within the spaces you represent.
"But despite that, I chose grace, respect, and gratitude. That is how I carried this title, and that is how I choose to leave it."
Despite everything, Joy thanks the Miss Philippines Earth Organization for entrusting her with the crown.
"Thank you for entrusting me with a title that became so much more than a crown."
She also hopes the public will continue supporting the pageant and the woman who will succeed her.
"I hope we continue supporting Miss Philippines Earth.
"This platform has never been about a queen. It has always been about a mission greater than ourselves. A mission to protect our planet, uplift our communities, and inspire others to become stewards of the Earth.
"Let us also support the next queen the same way you have all supported and loved my journey."
Joy ends her message by saying that her advocacy does not end with her reign.
"Hindi natatapos sa entablado ang pagboses.
"At hindi limitado ng korona ang adbokasiya."
She concludes, "Thank you, Miss Philippines Earth.
"Thank you, everyone, for changing my life.
"I will always and forever be an Earth Queen."
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