" From Ms. Squamy to a Beauty Queen".
Squammy - an urban word to describe someone with an attitude, gestures and others that squatters have.
That was how people address the Filipina comedian Herlen Budol . Though she never denies allegations or bashing. She accepted it as indeed she doesn't show finesse in her gestures. Even the way she talks. Aside from squammy she was also called "Hipon Girl". ( Hipon means a woman with a sexy body but not good looking).
She was discovered when she joined a certain competition ( sorry I forgot) in the local TV series Wowowin in our country. She was a trending topic and immediately became an online sensation. Due to instant popularity, she got an offer to be one of the hosts.
Her life became better after that as she got some projects. Yet a year ago, she appeared in a vlog and the sad news was, she was again back to zero. Pandemic happened which also resulted in losing her job.
The Vlogger who featured her even promised to give the percentage of earnings on that episode as a help.
She became a trending topic again when linked to Ms. Alexandra ( Finalist in Binibining Pilipinas ( the winner will be the one to represent in Ms. Universe). Though some say it was scripted ( I am not sure) the latter branded her as " squammy/iskwater" and she can't be a beauty queen. She also added that even Ms. Herlene's mother will organize a beauty pageant in their home, she won't win!
Yet everyone was surprised when she announced that she will be joining Bininibing Pilipinas this year. Yes, no doubt that she has the body and beauty BUT the finesse? Also not to mention she talked like a squammy!
During her interview, when asked why she joined the pageant, the answer was simple. Her manager pledged to give her a house and lot! That was her dream for her grandmother! ( She grows up with her grandparents as her parents parted ways).
Her manager also did a great job, I think he enrolled Ms. Herlene in personality development or he hired the best people. Everyone was surprised with her transformation!
She even used our national language which is Tagalog during the interview. She nailed it. Though she failed to achieve the crown, she landed first runner up and even won seven special awards.
Manila Bulletin Readers' Choice Award
Binibining Shein
Binibining Pizza Hut 2022
Binibining Kumu
JAG Queen
Binibining Silka
Binibining World Balance
Funny but she was more popular than the newly crowned beauty queen!
She was at the center.
Now fans are getting hyper and kept on bashing and looking for Ms. Alexandra. Isn't she said that Ms. Herlene was not qualified to be a beauty queen?
She appeared in some TV guest appearances but it was on the other day that I watched her interview. I am not sure if it was the right choice as it breaks my heart again.
As I mentioned earlier, she grew up with her grandparents and she always says her Grandma was her life. So imagined what she felt when on the peak of training a family member told her that her grandma was hospitalized? Thankfully the management let her pay a visit but it seems Granny was only waiting for her. She passed away. That was June 06, 2022 and the pageant will be July 31.
She mentioned how she blamed some things, even the corn as it was the last food that granny ate before she got sick. How she begged the Doctors. She was already crying.
Feeling in too much pain, grief she almost gave up, yet chose to continue the journey till the end. All smile while giving her best in all performances but deep inside, she's dying!
The whole interview made me realize how pure her soul is.
You might be wondering, she already wins so why did she have some regrets?
She felt that she didn't work that fast. That she still lacked that drive, efforts, etc before because if she did her Granny would be able to witness her success. That she will be able to experience the abundance of life. She even joked that Granny didn't experience sleeping in an air conditioned room.
If you want, you can watch the full episode, see the link above.
Hello Read cash Fam,
I was away for several days as I went home to my husband's hometown due to some errands. Supposedly I will be writing yesterday but I felt demotivated after knowing that our fellow writer on another platform died yesterday. She was not sick, it was because of an accident.
Hello everyone from the Philippines. Time check was 09:52 PM as of the writing, and we are now at the 16 of August for 2022. You can contact me here.
Lead image edited via canva
Ang layo na rin talaga narating niya hehe. Parang sa Tiktok ko lang siya napapanuod, yung mga funny moments niya. Now she is a beauty queen!