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“It's unfair.”

These were the words spoken by former Miss Universe Philippines MJ Lastimosa when she was asked about the issue surrounding the pageant industry as aired in the documentary, “Under Cover Asia: Cost of the Crown.”

In the two-hour show held by The Philippine Pageantry, MJ admitted that the alleged indecent proposals might have happened to some women, but also aired that it was unjust for people to generalize the industry.

Saying, “Yes, maybe there's the reality of those [people] but the things that they were saying kasi is based on their own experience.

“I felt like, it was also unfair for all the Filipino women who are competing who are lucky to have a group of people who are protecting them.

“Kasi parang na-generalize. For them to just discredit the whole Philippine pageantry, saying that there's a bad side in every pageant is not fair.”

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A post shared by MJ Lastimosa (@mj_lastimosa) on Mar 21, 2020 at 12:21am PDT

MJ then mentioned that she did watch the documentary after being notified by her followers.

Since then, she has been receiving comments asking whether or not she has accepted indecent proposals in exchange for millions.

To which the beauty queen jested, “Ha? I would have had a Jaguar or a mansion!”

She further explained that she was very much well taken care of during her reign as Miss Universe Philippines in 2014.

Adding, “I was traveling all around the Philippines with a lady guard who sleeps with me even inside my room to protect me.”

MJ even defended Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) chairwoman Stella Marquez-Araneta by describing her being “very protective of the girls.”

“Talagang pinoprotektahan niya kami, talagang walang pwedeng basta-bastang makakalapit sa amin.

"Even our mentors had a hard time with that, kasi kahit sila mismo nahihirapan lumapit sa amin.”

Despite all the backlash faced by the industry, MJ said fans have to understand that there are candidates who simply want to join out of passion and love to represent the country on the international stage.

“There are still a lot of people who are doing this out of passion, out of love,” she said.

“We are doing this because being in the pageant is our dream, it's our moms' dream or just a dream of the special people around us.

"And for some people to discredit the hard work that we're putting in this, is unfair.”

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A post shared by MJ Lastimosa (@mj_lastimosa) on Feb 13, 2020 at 11:41pm PST

The beauty queen turned TV presenter then sympathized with the women who were exploited and advised to find the right people who will help them on their journey to the crown.

“I am sad for all the women na naka-experience ng mga indecent proposal while they're competing. I feel sorry that they're being exploited in their own experiences.

“I just hope na makahanap sila ng training camps or people who will protect them while competing kasi it's very important.

"You can't do it alone, you can't protect yourself alone, and you can't control the mindset of the people around you.”

Watch the full interview below:

The topic of indecent proposals on the beauty pageant industry boomed after former Binibining Pilipinas beauty queen Janina San Miguel exposed the dark secrets of the beauty pageant industry that led her to renounce her title just two months before her scheduled international competition in 2008.

She told CNA Insider, “Nung nandun na kami, may nagsabi ng PhP3 million for a one night stand. 'Yung PhP 25 million ano 'yun gagawin ka niyang girlfriend. Bibigyan ka niya ng car, condo, resort--lahat,” she said.

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