Bombo Radyo Baguio reported that some of the judges and members of the committee behind the staging of the Miss Baguio 2014 beauty pageant are mulling to declare Maricel Marang Morales as a persona non grata in the city. Who is Maricel Morales? A former beauty queen and a current councilor in Angeles City, Pampanga, Morales was one of the judges during the final stage of the Miss Baguio 2014 pageant last month.
And why is she in the hot seat? Well, just a day after coronation night, Morales went to Facebook to vent out her frustration with some of the judges whom she referred to as "kupal" and "manyak". She however did not elaborate nor drop names. So when the word spread that Morales has got some accusations flying around, everyone started cooking his or her theory as to who these kupals and manyaks are. Unfortunately, Morales preferred to stay in her hole; mum and not giving names.
Furthermore, the Baguio City
council is also planning on calling Morales back to the city to explain
her side. If she fails to bring her behind over here, she'll be declared
a persona non grata.
Our Take On The Issue
This persona non grata thing is just stupid. Just another instance of Filipinos not being able to stomach criticisms against them that their only recourse is to banish the critic. In the first place, why are we even talking about persona non grata here? Her accusations are yet to be proven true or false. Until we know who the wolf with the sheep's clothing is, it's best we refrain from declaring someone an "unwelcome person".
Or here's a better idea. Why don't we all just forget about it and move on with our lives. What does beauty pageants bring to the common good anyway? Besides the bragging rights and prizes accorded to the winners, the other folks in Baguio City receive absolutely nothing. In fact, they get a "negative". Think about it. If it's true that the pageant was partly funded by public funds, the funds would've served a better purpose had they been used in something like...you know... fixing of the dilapidated roof of the shed in Malcolm Square? Methinks this would've been more noble. It doesn't involve boobs and bikinis, but it serves a purpose for Baguio folks.
But then again, as The Dude famously said on The Big Lebowski, "Yeah, well, you know, this is just, like, my opinion, man." Well, okay, this isn't exactly what The Dude said but you get the point.
