Karla Henry slams Ms. PH-Earth 2016 bet

CEBU, Philippines - Feeling alluded to, Cebuana beauty queen Karla Paula Henry took to social media to address a Facebook post by Miss Philippines Earth 2016 Imelda Bautista Schweighart.

Imelda had written: “I was faced with a panel of judges for them to get to know my aspirations in life. When I said what my dream was, two girls from this country laughed at me in [front of] the panel of judges the moment I shared my dream. What is wrong with this country? Why are people so fond of pulling each other down?”

Karla, a Miss Earth 2008 title-holder who hosted the pre-pageant event, reacted to the post via an open letter on her own Facebook last Thursday.

“Since you did not want to talk to me directly I’ll just say this here, since you’re also so fond of posting your rants on social media. I believe you are referring to me as one of those ladies who laughed at you when you shared what your dream was since all judges were older than seven to nine years. Well, I suggest you either find out the whole truth and not come out with your own version of it on social media.”

Karla’s letter continued: “Facts for you my dear, please read carefully: 1.) I was not a judge just a host/timekeeper. 2.) I did not laugh at you because after what you have said and done the past few weeks I was actually curious of what you had to say. 3.) Somewhere mid of your interview I lost interest and started talking to Princess about something completely unrelated to you or Ms. Earth for that matter.”

“So now that you know please stop having so much self-pity and start getting your head in the game. You had or maybe still have a whole group of people who are backing you up day to day, because believe me my dear not very many beauty queens would get away with half the stuff you have done.”

“Stop focusing on what everyone thinks of you, and start actually being the best version of yourself that you so fondly say all the time. Oh and by the way, you said you wanted to be a popstar. Well, suggestion No.2, have thicker skin if you want to be in this industry. Best of luck on October 29,” concluded Karla, referencing the date of the Miss Earth 2016 finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena where Imelda failed to make it as a semi-finalist last night.

Karla and Imelda have both since erased their Facebook posts. The first Filipina and Asian Miss Earth winner told PEP.ph on Friday that “we have both aired our sides and we are now moving on.”

Imelda, a 21-year-old Fil-German from Puerto Princesa City, also courted controversy early in the competition after she likened President Rodrigo Duterte to Adolf Hitler and seemingly teased Miss Earth Austria about Hitler’s Austrian origins. After winning the Miss Philippines Earth crown last June, Imelda also accused her fellow contestants of bullying and stealing.

Meanwhile, Karla was surprised Friday night by the father of her child Rico Amman who proposed to her before the start of the “Weddings at the Waterfront: La Relance” bridal fashion show at the Grand Pacific Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino which the radiant bride-to-be was hosting. (FREEMAN)