Joy Barcoma clears air on bullying allegations: 'It's never a light issue'

Joy Barcoma has opened up about the bullying issue recently linked to her name, clarifying how the situation transpired.

On the latest episode of "Your Honor," the Miss Philippines Earth 2025  said the issue dates back to when she was still studying at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

"I had an altercation with a college mate during my college days in PUP," she said.

While the incident itself happened years ago, Joy admitted that what affected her the most was how the narrative was framed on social media.

"Siguro 'yung pinaka-naging sad part for me here is not people calling me bully, but how the bullying was framed in social media," she said. "It's never a light issue."

Joy said that her online "dogshow" persona may have contributed to the issue.

"So, they saw it as me na nagiging patola lang sa mga basher, and not taking the bullying issue ng seryoso," she said.

"I never want people to take bullying lightly," she added. "I always want to advocate for people na nakaranas ng violence, abuse, and bullying sa buhay nila, and I don't want them to go through that again."

However, Joy pointed out how the term "bullying" can sometimes be misused online.

"Ayoko rin naman na ginagamit ng tao na buzzword ang 'bullying' whenever people claps back at them," she said, adding that she only responds when provoked.

"Kapag minalditahan kita, best believe na maldita ka muna sa 'kin," she said.

In March, Joy went viral after a blind item hinted at her being a bully through a post showing only her eyes.

Joy was the Philippine representative to Miss Earth 2025, where she finished in the Top 8.

Throughout her campaign, Joy would regularly trend on social media for her hilarious and relatable posts.

She also previously competed in Miss World Philippines in 2021. —Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA News