Eva Patalinjug on controversial issue and her title
Winning the Binibining Pilipinas Grand International title this year was a tough ride for Eva Patalinjug. Recall that her answer in the question and answer portion in the competition set tongues wagging with Eva accused of “copying” her answer from Nadine Lustre as quoted by a fashion magazine for their campaign. In an exclusive interview with Bulletin Entertainment, the registered nurse-turned-beauty queen addressed the issue. “I didn’t commit anything wrongdoing at all. I really stand by and believe every word I said during my Q&A kasi I really felt that the slogan that the magazine made was very timely and ap- propriate for the question that was asked of me.”
Eva was randomly picked by pageant judge and Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines Victor Echiverri, who asked: “What is the role of beauty queens in the pursuit of our country’s economic success, if any?”
She answered: “A role of a beauty queen is to be a voice. I am here to make a message to all of you. In these times of uncertainty and fear that have seemingly taken over in our country, we have remained steadfast and unfazed amid all the challenges.
“As a united nation, what we should do is set aside our political differences, forget our economic and social preferences, and let love and loyalty for our country rise above all so we can march toward the future in the hopes of making a peaceful country. Thank you.”
Eva reiterated she didn’t copy anything. Instead, she merely utilized two sentences which she believes is a slogan of a local magazine for an event in line with Independence day.
The original pledge attributed to Nadine read: “In these times when fear and uncertainty have seemingly taken over, as a united nation, we remain steadfast and unfazed in the midst of challenges. I believe what we need as one nation now is unity.
“As we celebrate our country’s independence, let us march forward towards the future, in the hopes of building a better nation, #TheNewPH. This is my stand and my pledge for humanity. What’s yours?”
According to Eva, she got inspired while reading about the campaign, adding, “I said these are very good lines that can resonate with everyone.”
In the end, though, she got bashed for it online. “Sabi ko ‘Wow ganito pala talaga ang buhay ng beauty queen.’ Na if the people think mali ka ng kahit konti lang they feel you should be bashed already. Which is not the case man lang sana
kasi Filipino tayo tapos ’di nila alam kung anong nararamdaman ng tao sa mga pinagsasabi nila,” she said.
Wiser, bolder
One of the more hurtful words she took was when people started saying she doesn’t deserve to win because her answer was not heartfelt.
“Tao rin naman ako, behind all the make-up nasasaktan din ang tao,” she said getting teary-eyed. “I believe I deserve the crown naman talaga.”
Eva added: “People are just being too critical about it. Kung titingnan mo
naman ’yung answer ko, parang quote lang naman na parang sinasabi din na ‘The youth is the future of our country,’ ‘Think before you click,’ ‘No man is an island.’ If other beauty queens can use slogans and quotes, why can’t I,” she added.
As influencer, Eva is planning to campaign against cyber bullying. Note that prior to this, she has been an avid supporter of HIV awareness and the prevention of violence against women and children.
Dream big
Eva believes her burning passion helped clinch the crown. “Kapag may gusto ako I’m very determined na makuha ’yun. Kumbaga I don’t stop until I succeed.”
She shared that she doesn’t do anything for the sake of just doing it. Rather, it’s always in pursuit of excellence.
Well, it certainly served her well in the pageant, we pointed out.
“Parang sabi nila ‘Okay lang kung matalo ka pwede ka naman next year, 23 years old ka pa lang’ pero sabi ko ‘No. I joined Binibini because I wanna win,’” she said.
Although it’s Eva’s first time to join the Binibining Pilipinas, she already has an extensive pageant background. Her first foray into the pageant world bagged her the first runner-up place at the Miss Cebu 2014. Then, that same year, she was crowned Mutya Ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International.
On joining the Binibining Pilipinas, Eva revealed her mindset was “It’s now or never.”
“Sabi ko nga I didn’t join because may thinking ako na pwede pa ako sumali next year,” she said. “Gusto ko talagang manalo.”
How was the crossover from Mutya Ng Pilipinas to Binibining Pilipinas? Eva used the words “intense” and “whirlwind.”
In any case, she is grateful all her sacrifices are worth it.
“’Yung mga pinaghirapan mo, mga sleepless nights, training na nadadapa ka with your high high-heels and parang pinapagalitan ka na ’cause you’re not getting it but you’re still pushing hard because you wanna win. Then after everything else you get that crown that you want, that for me is the fulfillment of my journey.”
Tao rin naman ako, behind all the make-up nasasaktan din ang tao.