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Former Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina issued a public apology yesterday, June 13, for her remark about Spain's Miss Universe 2018 contestant Angela Ponce.

Maxine Medina

Ponce was the first transgender woman to join the prestigious beauty pageant in its history.

In 2018, a viral clip of Medina surfaced online, where she commented, “Kung gusto niya [Angela Ponce] talaga sumali, may mga pageants naman for them, na right for them.

“Let's give them an idea na mayroon naman talagang pageant for them, para naman equal din sa girls, di ba?”

At that time, Medina didn't address the criticism nor publicly apologized for her comments.

However, last Wednesday, June 12, the former beauty queen earned wide criticism and backlash when she attended and was part of the Mega Equality Ball, which celebrated not only the independence of the Philippines but also Pride Month.

View this post on Instagram

On this day of independence, we are breaking barriers. More than just nationalistic pride, today marks a freedom of self--where we dismiss the fear of being judged, show the world who we truly are, and stand with confidence in our truth. With self-assurance and humility in skill, patronage in advocacy, as well as to demonstrate #HMLoveForAll--regardless of gender, race, status, and beliefs--we are all equal. True freedom is about equality. More than just a photograph, this is a stand in visible solidarity for equality for all mankind. A call to #ReignWithPride, a necessary rejection of labels and breaking away from stereotype, this is an earnest pledge to exercise our human ability to tolerate, accept, and love in equivalence to each other, engaging and fighting for it today, and for the #NextGeneration. I am MAXINE MEDINA, and this is my stand, my state of pride. #MEGAForAll #MEGAEquality #Hm

A post shared by Maria Mika Maxine Medina (@maxine_medina) on Jun 11, 2019 at 8:56pm PDT

Following the release of her portrait, followers of Mega Magazine and Medina commented that the beauty queen previously made “transphobic” remarks and questioned her inclusion to the roster.

She then addressed the allegations on Twitter to answer the round of criticisms.

When I took a stand, that's not for me to disregard Angela. I was concerned about the other girls joining Miss Universe but that doesn't mean I am transphobic. I am proud of Angela and I respect her and the community.

-- Maxine Medina (@maxinemedina) June 13, 2019

If I have offended people, I am sorry but it was never my intention.

-- Maxine Medina (@maxinemedina) June 13, 2019

Hours after posting on Twitter, she wrote a lengthy apology on Instagram.

“While I was truly caught in a moment, I'll graciously and humbly say that it was misinformed, and lacking in empathy and understanding,” she explained.

“I know first-hand how it is to feel invalidated as I have been bullied all my life, been called names.

“That's why I really apologize if this is how you felt and still feel.”

She further clarified, “It isn't that I am not supporting a transwoman beauty queen.

“In fact, I was actually proud of Angela, that she made a big step doing this to inspire others and that she had the courage of joining and asking Miss Universe to represent her country as a transwoman.

“It is such a big step forward for us to realize that we shouldn't be scared of change.

“We should embrace it because no matter what, we are aiming for the better future for all.”

View this post on Instagram

Pride month and yesterday's #MEGAForAll and #MEGAEqualityBall saw a resurfacing of a statement I made last year regarding my opinion on Angela Ponce, the first transwoman to join Miss Universe. While I was truly caught in a moment, I'll graciously and humbly say that it was misinformed, and lacking in empathy and understanding. I know first-hand how it is to feel invalidated as I have been bullied all my life, been called names. That's why I really apologize if this is how you felt and still feel. It isn't that I am not supporting a transwoman beauty queen, in fact I was actually proud of Angela, Miss Spain that she made a big step doing this to inspire others and that she had the courage of joining and asking Miss Universe to represent her country as a transwoman. It is such a big step forward for us to realize that we shouldn't be scared of change. We should embrace it because no matter what, we are aiming for the better future for all. I have much to learn and understand, and that I am willing to do the necessary next steps to more understands the importance of equality in beauty pageants through meeting, speaking with and interacting with people who have different opinions than mine. Equality, I realized, is also about education and learning, not just based on what I know and believe, but also those of others as well. Having been made aware, I am humbling myself as a human being. Now, it is my hope that whether it's Miss Universe and all the other pageants in the world, women and transwomen continue to dream big and prove themselves that as a woman, you can do anything to be the queens you want to be.

A post shared by Maria Mika Maxine Medina (@maxine_medina) on Jun 13, 2019 at 12:50am PDT

In 2018, Angela was given a special segment on Miss Universe, where she shared her experience as the first transgender woman to join the competition.

She further said that she is seeking to educate the younger generation and to end a culture of intolerance to encourage the celebration of diversity.

Ponce said at the time, “My hope is for tomorrow, to be able to live in a world of equality for everyone.

“Simply for us all to understand that we are human. If I can give that to the world, I don't need to win Miss Universe, I only need to be here.”

On her apology Medina realizes that she has “much to learn and understand” and that she is more than “willing to do the necessary next steps to more understand the importance of equality.”

“Equality, I realized, is also about education and learning, not just based on what I know and believe, but also those of others as well.” she concluded.