Herlene Budol honored as 'pride of Angono' at homecoming event

Herlene Nicole “Hipon Girl” Budol received the warmest welcome at her homecoming ceremony in Angono, Rizal.

In a vlog posted by Herlene’s manager Wilbert Tolentino, Angono Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon and Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon gave some words of appreciation to the comedienne turned beauty queen.
 
The mayor called her Angono’s pride. “Sabi ko nga noon sa ‘yo diba, may crown o wala, para sa amin ay may korona ka na bilang inspirasyon ng kapwa nating kabataan at inspirasyon ng kabataan na nangangarap,” she said.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Gerardo said Herlene is an exemplary model for youth.

"Siya po ay isang modelong kabataan. Modelong na ipinakita niya ang kanyang modelong pangkaraniwang tao ay na-transform. Hindi sumuko. At ang pandemya ang naging take-off point ng ating kababayan," he said.

“At alam niyo mga bata, wala dapat sumuko sa buhay, at ito ay pinakita ni Hipon sa ating buong mundo,” he added.

In her speech, Herlene thanked her kababayan, manager, family, and friends for all the love and support.

She dedicated her crown to Angono and the rest of the Philippines.

“Wala po akong kahit anong pinagsisihan dahil itong crown na ‘to, 1st Runner-Up man po ako, ang laking bagay po nito sa akin at para sa ating lahat. Kaya maraming maraming salamat po, bayan ng Angono," she said.

“Hinding hindi ko po kayo iiwan. Meron pa po tayong susunod na mga laban, kagaya ng sa international [pageant.] Isisigaw ko po dun, at handing handa na po ako sumigaw ng Pilipinas," she added.

Herlene emerged as the 1st Runner Up of the Binibining Pilipinas 2022. She earned seven special awards in the competition. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA News