Herlene Budol asked for food from OFW amid struggles in Uganda

Herlene Budol bared all the stress she endured during her stay in Uganda for the Miss Planet International pageant in her latest interview on "Updated with Nelson Canlas."

Police with guns chased her, she had alopecia

Herlene confirmed in the interview that they had to pay for their own meals. When they were at a mall, she even had to ask an OFW if she had any money to spare for food.

"'Di ba dinala kami sa mall, sabi sa akin, 'uy, Hipon pa-picture.' Buti nakilala po ako nun," she said. "Nung nakilala ako, [talagang] kinapalan ko ang mukha ko."

"Para nga akong pulubi, sabi ko," the comedienne and beauty queen said.

("They took us to a mall, someone asked me, 'Hipon, can I take a picture with you?' I'm glad she recognized me. When she did, I asked for a favor.")

Herlene asked the Filipino, "Te, libre mo naman ako, penge naman akong—pengeng kahit ano, barya. Pambili lang ng kayang bumili ng kahit tinapay."

"Pero nilibre niya po kami [sa] parang fast food chain," she added.

("Sister, treat me to something, can I have anything, even coins? Just enough to buy for bread. She treated us to a fast food chain.")

In a recent Instagram post, Hipon Girl expressed her thanks to Filipinos in Uganda for extending the bayanihan spirit.

Miss Planet International was supposed to be Herlene's first international pageant, after placing first runner-up in Binibining Pilipinas and earning seven special awards.

Prior to her withdrawal, Herlene's national costume failed to make it to Uganda in one piece, causing distress.

She withdrew "[due] to uncertainties by the organizers" and that the candidates were not treated well.

Amid the controversy, Miss Planet International was rescheduled to January 2023.

Listen to Herlene Budol's full interview on "Updated with Nelson Canlas" on Spotify.

—Nika Roque/MGP, GMA Integrated News