Miss Belgium 2018, Angeline Flor Pua was awarded the coveted title earlier this week. Unfortunately, the pageant queen had little to celebrate as she soon became a victim of racist comments for being of Filipino descent.
Pua is the first Filipina to win the Miss Belgium crown, and while the whole Filipino community rejoiced with her, there were also a number of bashers who criticized the jury’s decision. Some commented that the pageant is ridiculous while others questioned why an Asian won, insisting that the crown should have been awarded to blue-eyed, blonde Belgian.
The young pilot under training admitted being hurt by the negative comments. She has done several interviews where she was asked about the issue.
“It hurts a lot. It touches me very deeply but I was born in Belgium, I was raised in Belgium. I have Belgian nationality. My parents met each other in Belgium even if they are both Filipinos and I don’t see any reason why I can’t be Miss Belgium,†she said.
Pua will be representing Belgium in the Miss Universe pageant this year.
