Eva Patalinjug: ‘I did not copy from Nadine Lustre’

CEBU, Philippines — Not 24 hours into her reign as Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2018, Eva Psychee Patalinjug was already hounded with controversy as the internet grew abuzz regarding her reply during the competition’s question and answer round.

During the highly-anticipated segment, Eva was asked about the role of a beauty queen in the success of the Philippine economy, to which she replied: “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 amidst all the challenges. As a united nation, what we should do is to set aside our political differences, forget our academic and social preferences and let love and loyalty for our country rise above all so we can march towards our future in the hopes of making a peaceful country.”

At the end of Sunday evening, the Cebuana was one of the six victors, earning the right to represent the country in the Miss Grand International 2018 pageant in Myanmar.

However, Facebook user Pry Rivera was quick to point out the similarity between Eva’s answer and a copy from Kapamilya actress Nadine Lustre’s Facebook post on June 2017, which was in line with Mega Magazine’s Independence Day celebration, which 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? #TimeToEmbraceChange#CelebrateMEGA25 @mega_magazine”

Rivera uploaded a screenshot of Nadine’s post alongside a video of Eva answering the question with the caption: “Sounds family [familiar]? Lol. Read then watch. ” on Monday night. With over 14,000 reactions and 16,000 shares as of this writing, Rivera later clarified in his post that he had stumbled on Nadine’s post while looking for a word for word transcript of Eva’s answer on Facebook. Topping the search results was Nadine’s quote. Rivera adds that he had not said anything negative about the topic, and justifies that however one interprets the post is simply one’s opinion.

That did not stop netizens from picking up the post until it went viral. Many called out Eva, saying that she had committed plagiarism and piracy, with some demanding dethronement. Eva’s so-called “rehearsed” answer was also compared to fellow Binibining Pilipinas 2018 contender Sandra Lemonon’s honesty, who admitted that she knew nothing about the question thrown at her during the Q&A about the government’s Build, Build, Build, program.

Many also came to Eva’s rescue when she did not immediately respond to the debate. Her mother, Atty. Liza Marie Soroño, was at the helm, alongside Eva’s close friends who explained how the Cebuana’s answer was nothing close to plagiarism. In various Facebook posts, Soroño indirectly comforted her daughter, and showered the 24-year-old registered nurse and law student with words of reassurance.

Mandaue City treasurer Atty. Regal Oliva also shared insights on the issue in a Facebook post which began: “Eva Patalinjug may have canned her answer from a quote prepared by Mega PH, which was intended to be used by every Filipino who value their independence. That was the goal. Those were words not only used by one actress, but many personalities in the country. And when a beauty pageant candidate who won a crown uses it, it becomes an issue? Why so?” the lawyer quips, and continues that Eva had deserved the crown that she had won, so detractors should be “at peace and let Eva prepare for her next pageant.”

Eva responded and had shared Oliva’s post saying: “Humbled by your kind words Atty! Thank you for believing in me! I’ll really prove my worth even more. Let’s all stay positive! Let’s say no to hate and bashing! God Bless us all!” Eva also shared a friend’s post about his opinions, and urged everyone to stop cyberbullying and spread good vibes instead.

After days of keeping to herself and enjoying the fruits her and her fellow winners’ labor, Eva finally spoke yesterday and shed some light on the issue.

In an interview with GMA’s “New To Go” program alongside Binibining Pilipinas 2018 winners, Eva clarifies that she had only utilized the quote, and that despite the talk, she still stands by her answer. She also took the opportunity to remind people that they should not expect perfection from pageant contestants because the reality is that nobody’s perfect. She explains that it is difficult to join pageants, let alone answer a question in front of thousands, and that the public should also put that in mind.

“I utilized the two-liner quote or the slogan of [the] ad campaign of Mega Magazine which is for the Independence Day last year and I really got inspired with it because it’s very timely and appropriate with the question that was thrown to me. At the end of the slogan, I put there that as a country, we have to really set aside our political differences and social economic, academic preferences, para naman umasenso yung nation natin,” Eva says.

After elaborating how her answer was simply inspired by the quote, Eva went on to say that she respects those called her out but presses that she did not copy from Nadine.

“I really stand by and believe in every word I said, and I really look up to Nadine. It’s just that yung mga netizens lang...I really respect the people that said I copied Nadine but that’s not the case talaga. I really got inspired and I really stand on what I said during the question and answer because it’s very timely naman to say that talaga eh. That’s a very powerful message that Mega Magazine made and I think that would be appropriate naman talaga to say it again to the people,” Eva says.