Bambi speaks up on pageant

DUE to the confusion created by the social media post of a certain Nicole Harding from New Zealand, I am constrained to issue this statement. I do not know Ms. Harding. I never met, talked to or communicated with her or any other person connected with the so-called Miss Pancontinental 2015 pageant except for Ms. Cheryl Macale. The alleged quote attributed to a “Cagayan de Oro City governor” is not mine. I do not believe, however, that such a statement was ever made by any public official of both Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City. Her statements should be taken with caution, considering that a part thereof has already been denied by the New Zealand Embassy.

Although the Provincial Government was not an organizer of the said pageant, we felt it necessary to render our assistance and ensure the well-being of the candidates when the problems arose. We ourselves were inconvenienced. Those we asked to help on behalf of the province spent money and effort which were all wasted. Still, we could not turn our backs to their plight, even if we were not responsible for its cause. It is but a natural trait of Filipinos to be hospitable, and to be kind to visitors. It is most unfortunate that Ms. Harding chose to tarnish the image of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City, instead of simply saying “thank you” for the assistance given to her and her group from people who were not responsible for bringing them here in the first place.

Identifying herself as Project Manager, Miss Macale at first contacted the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental to ask for our help in connection with the pageant. Her request was at first denied due to time and financial constraints. She then personally approached me on 16 November 2015 asking for reconsideration. Considering it as an opportunity to showcase the province, I agreed to a limited involvement by the Provincial Tourism Office.

From the moment the contestants and their entourage arrived in Misamis Oriental last Saturday and up to the time they were transported to a hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, I was receiving negative reports of alleged lack of coordination. I directed our Provincial Information Officer and tourism staff to check the situation of the candidates. They listened to the complaints and concerns of the candidates and their entourage and assured them that they are in a safe city. The Provincial Staff also gave them sandwiches and water.

The following day, Sunday, the activity arranged by the Province was cancelled without notice. It was at this point that I decided to alert the Department of Tourism. I also asked the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate. The situation worsened when the candidates who were brought to a restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City in the morning were left to fend for themselves, their bill unpaid. This was reported to me by our PIO, who had gone to the said restaurant to fetch the candidates and bring them to the lunch arranged by the Provincial Government.

Our PIO and tourism staff could not leave them without any assurance that someone would take care of them. I called Police City Director Antonio Olaguera and asked his assistance on the matter. Later in the evening, the national organizer arrived from Manila. After statements were taken by the police, the Provincial Government provided them with dinner and transportation. Our PIO and tourism staff made sure they were safely checked in at the resort where they were supposed to hold their pre-pageant activities. The national organizer, Ms. Mylene Miranda, was then informed that the Provincial Government will not be further involved. —Yevgeny Vincente Emano, governor, Misamis Oriental