Matitinding batikos ang nararanasan ngayon nina Mister Supranational 2024 2nd runner-up Brandon Espiritu at Mister Pilipinas Global 2025 Jether Palomo dahil sa kanilang mga reaksiyon tungkol sa pagpuna ng isang netizen na napansin ang hindi nila pagkanta sa wikang Tagalog.
Nagsimula ito nang mag-post si Jether ng "I pledge allegiance to the flag [US] flag" sa kanyang IG Story ngayong Miyerkules, Hunyo 10, 2026.
Komento rito ni Brandon, “Raise that flag brother.”
Parehong Filipino-Americans ang dalawang models at male-pageant winners.
Isang netizen ang nagkomento sa palitan ng mensahe nina Jether at Brandon: “The question is at least one of you represented the Philippines but no one sang in Tagalog.”
Sagot dito ni Brandon: “because we aren’t from the Philippines. Why would we lie?”
Komento muli ng netizen: “Then you should have represented your country."
Hindi ito pinalampas ni Brandon.
Buwelta niya sa netizen: “tell that to all the front runners for the Philippines. This country wouldn’t have a chance on the national stage without us halflies.”
NETIZENS CALL FOR BRANDON AND JETHER CANCELLATION
Ang mga binitiwang salita ni Brandon ang naging mitsa para makatikim sila ni Jethro ng mga batikos at masasakit na salita mula sa Filipino netizens.
Mahigpit ang panawagan ng maraming netizens na kanselahin ang dalawang Filipino-American citizens na nagkaroon ng mga pagkakakitaan sa Pilipinas dahil sa pagsali nila sa mga male national pageant.
Bigla ring nabawasan ang bilang ng social media followers ng dalawa matapos magsagawa ng "Mass Unfollow" ang galit na netzens
Habang isinusulat ang artikulong ito, mula sa 213K ay bumaba sa 207K ang Instagram followers ni Brandon.
Samantalang nabawasan ng mahigit dalawang libo ang bilang ng Instagram followers ni Jether.
Deactivated na rin ang comments section sa mga social media account nina Brandon at Jether—ang tanging solusyon nila para makaiwas mula sa hagupit ng galit at matitinding batikos ng netizens na tinawag silang mga "oportunista."
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JETHER AND BRANDON ISSUE PUBLIC APOLOGY
Dahil sa matinding batikos mula sa publiko, naglabas ng magkahiwalay na statement sina Jether at Brandon.
Sa pamamagitan ng IG Story, humingi ng paumanhin si Jether dahil sa kanyang pinakawalang komento. Inamin din niya ang kanyang pagkakamali.
Nilinaw rin ni Jether na bagamat may dual citizenship siya, dahil ipinanganak siya sa Amerika, siya ay purong Pinoy at parehong Filipino ang kanyang mga magulang.
Saad ng model-pageant winner: “Recently, I made a comment that upset and disappointed many people and I want to address it directly.
“During a segment, where we were asked to sing a song from our native language, I was referenced being born in the United States and I made a comment saying 'I pledge allegiance to the [American] flag.
"While it was made in that context, I recognize that the remark was inappropriate and that it contributed to a conversation that touched on issues of heritage, background and representation.
“To the claims that I am a 'halfie,' I am fully Filipino and a dual citizen. Both of my parents are Filipino. I was born in the United States and my heritage is something I have always been proud of and embraced as a core part of who I am.
"That said, I understand this does not excuse what I said or diminish the impact it had on others.
“I take full responsibility. I know these are not light topics and I should have been more thoughtful. This moment has pushed me to reflect, listen and genuinely learn and I believe that growth only comes when we are willing to hold ourselves accountable.
“To everyone I hurt, offended or disappointed, I am sincerely sorry. I will carry these lessons with me and continue to strive to be better.”
Humingi rin ng paumanhin si Brandon sa pamamagitan ng isang social media post.
Inamin ng Filipino-American model-pageant winner na nagkamali siya sa mga binitiwang salita.
Saad niya: “I want to address a comment I made earlier.
"I responded impulsively and made a remark that came across as disrespectful to many Filipinos.
"That was not my intention but I understand why people were upset and I deleted the comment shortly after.
“I am proud to represent the Philippines and proud of my Filipino heritage.
"The last thing I would ever want is to diminish the accomplishments of Filipinos, whether they are full Filipino, mixed Filipino or anyone who has had the honor of carrying our flag on the international stage.
“For anyone who was offended by my words, I sincerely apologize.
“I also ask that any frustration be directed at me alone and at the businesses, staff, partners or communities I’m involved with. They had absolutely nothing to do with my comment and do not deserve to be affected by it.
“Thank you to everyone who held me accountable. I’ll learn from this and do better moving forward.”
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BRAND ISSUES STATEMENT ON BRANDON ESPIRITU
May dahilan para mabahala si Brandon dahil sa panawagang huwag tangkilikin ang kanyang mga negosyo at brand endorsement.
Ang isyung kinasasangkutan ni Brandon ang nag-udyok sa pamunuan ng isang produkto na dating iniendorso niya para maglabas ng pahayag at linawing hindi na konektado ang modelo sa kanilang brand.
