A pro-Duterte page on Facebook is thanking President Duterte for the two times that the Philippines won in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant even though the government has no connection to the contest.
Facebook page “Rodrigo Duterte Supporters” posted a graphic indicating Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray won their titles under the Duterte administration.
Duterte was not yet president in 2015 when Pia Wurtzbach won.
The pageant is run by the Miss Universe Organization and is “a company run by women for women.”
It says on its “About Us” page that the company is “built on a foundation of inclusion and continues to be a celebration of diversity. The mission of the organization is to provide the tools which help women to be their personal best.”
Governments have no direct and relevant connection with the pageant and its winners but the Facebook page attempted to credit Duterte with the win.
The same information was shared by a known Duterte supporter, Sass Rogando Sasot, in her Facebook and Twitter page. However, she shortly noted the error in her Facebook post and edited it.
Sasot also credited the late President Ferdinand Marcos for the win of Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz and Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran.
Although she may be right in saying that the two beauties won under the dictator’s term, there is no relevant link that offers a direct connection between Marcos and the Miss Universe titleholders. — Artwork by Uela Altar-Badayos
