LOOK: Miss Earth 2016 Controversy, Imelda Schweighart Quits as Miss Earth Philippines

Imelda Schweighart resigned as Miss Earth Philippines following the uninspiring and controversial video of her commenting to her fans about Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espin. Her voluntary resignation was accepted by the organizers of the pageant on Monday. Carousel Productions, the owner of the Miss Earth beauty pageant, made the announcement official. This decision means that Kiara Giel Gregorio, Miss Philippines Earth first runner-up, will fulfill Imelda’s remaining responsibilities.

WATCH: Miss Earth Philippines Imelda Schweighart’s Controversial Remarks to Fans on Miss Earth 2016 via the Facebook page of Pageantology

Miss Earth 2016 Controversy, Imelda Schweighart Says ‘Miss Earth Should Be Natural’

After the coronation night, Imelda was unfortunately found giving undesirable comments to her fans about Miss Earth 2016 (Miss Ecuador) in the controversial video. She was speaking in Tagalog saying that Katherine has “peke ilong, peke baba, peke boobs (fake nose, fake chin, fake breasts).”  Further, she remarked that “Miss Earth should be natural.” This caused a frenzy leading to the decision of her resignation.

Ex-Miss Earth Philippines Says, ‘I’m sorry’

Imelda apologized for her unmindful statement. “If it is a crime to tell the truth, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend Miss Ecuador. I don’t know her enough but she was my roommate,” she told CNN Philippines.
Miss Schweighart’s video was posted online without her knowledge and this upset her. According to her, doing this puts “a side of a person’s integrity out there. Hindi makabayan ‘yon (it’s not patriotic).” She defended her actions saying that if she had a bad attitude, she wouldn’t be in this industry. She wouldn’t endure the pain if she is who they (her critics) say she is.

In addition, Schweighart also caused a stir when she likened President Rodrigo Duterte to Adolf Hitler. She, too, apologized for that.

Imelda Schweighart Offended Because Of Yellow Evening Gown

Ms. Schweighart said although she is not bitter, she was offended when the evening gown that she was supposed to wear was given to Miss Ecuador. She felt that she was not being taken care of because of this. The controversial remarks were caused by the anger she felt when her gown was no longer in her dressing room.

The Inquirer  reveals that when the Top 16 was announced, in which she was not included, Imelda shared a video on her Facebook account fitting the yellow gown made by designer Leo Almodal. She stressed that it was her gown and that the designer made it for her. She said that Leo wrote the words ‘for Imelda Schweighart’ on the sketch. The gown was patterned after Artemis.

When the staff of the designer saw the Facebook post, Imelda received a message that another gown will be given for her to wear. This gown was a big blue gown but Imelda said she “cannot” wear that because the “big” gown will call attention to herself. She did not want to do that. Leo’s staff then came back with a red gown but again, Imelda refused to wear it because it is her “unlucky” color.

Gloria Nelson, Miss Guam, lent her spare gown for Imelda to use.

Fashion Designer Leo Almodal Airs Side On Gown Controversy

ABS-CBN reports that Leo Almodal admitted that Imelda contacted him to provide a dress for the pageant night. However, to clarify things, he said that Imelda, or anyone from her camp, has not given or paid him a single peso for that gown. “That yellow gown is technically my property and just letting her borrow it for Miss Earth pageant, that (is) if she makes it to the top 16,” Almodal stressed. Read his full comment on his Facebook post here.

In an interview, Katherine Espin denied that she knew the yellow dress belonged to Imelda.

Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espin responds, “She’s grown up already”

In an interview, Katherine said that she respects Imelda’s decision to resign. She says that Imelda is a woman and she has dreams. If she has decided, it is her decision and “she’s a grown up already and she knows what is best for her.” She also expressed that she has heard rumors about “some things that aren’t going on.” Although she doesn’t know why these are happening, she respects Imelda as a woman and she will eventually clarify all the rumors.

Miss Earth 2016 said, “We will clarify so there will be no misunderstanding.”

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