Miss International 2019 has only just concluded but the results are conjuring up some mixed emotions. Philippine representative Bea Patricia “Patch” Magtanong finished in the Top 8, with the crown ultimately being handed to Sireethorn Leearamwat, the first-ever winner from Thailand.
Fellow Filipinos are struggling to comprehend Patch’s loss, especially considering the empowering speech she gave prior.
During the speech, she said:
“When I was younger, I found it strange that I was subjected to different standards as other boys my age. When I got older and even more so when I became a lawyer, I began to question these standards and challenge them. Why should women live in fear of harassment, violence, and discrimination when basic human decency calls for respect, tolerance, and compassion?
“To cheer all women means to support all women regardless of their race, religion, or background. But not only this – it also means to remove the barriers that prevent women from realizing their full potential. Miss International does this by fostering a global culture of women empowerment and gender equality. And through this platform, we can ensure that no woman anytime, anywhere is left behind.”
Twitter users are not holding back
Despite the conflict of opinion, congratulations to Leearamwat on taking home the crown, hopefully we can all find it in our hearts to be happy for her!
