Joy Barcoma looks back on Miss World Philippines 2021 issue: 'I was just standing up for myself'

Joy Barcoma looked back on her 2021 controversy on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Wednesday, explaining she was just standing up for herself.

Recalling what happened, Joy narrated how a rumor went around that some Miss World Philippines candidates were using illegal substances. At that time, it was alleged that Joy was the one who spread that rumor inside the pageant.

“I came clean. I asked the organization to meddle, I asked all the girls involved, and then I explained my side. And somebody admitted that it wasn’t me,” Joy said.

Although her name was cleared internally, Joy said “it wasn’t enough for me,” so she held a press conference.

“Kasi I felt like I really need to clear my name,” the beauty queen told. Tito Boy.

After the press conference, it was framed that Joy was being bullied. “But the reality is, I was just standing up for myself,” she said.

According to Joy, she asked for a public apology but didn’t get it.

“But somehow I got the apology because I know those girls went through the same thing I went through, if I may say that,” Joy said. “Kasi the people got mad at them. They got bashed, that I didn’t want also to happen to them.”

At that time, Joy hired a lawyer, who wrote a demand letter to the organization and the girls involved, seeking an apology for Joy. If she they didn’t get one, Joy threatened to speak about the matter publicly.

It was then that Joy “was called by the organization."

"They told me na they were sorry they didn’t take it up seriously. And the girls involved po nun, parang nag-reach out naman sa ‘kin and said sorry,” Joy recalled.

Five years later, and Joy says all parties — she, the organization, and the girls — are now okay.

Joy is currently making waves as a host and online personality.

Last year, she finished in the Top 8 of Miss Earth 2025, but regularly trended on social media for her hilarious posts throughout her campaign. — LA, GMA News