For my non-Filipino readers, just a short backgrounder: On the Binibining Pilipinas competition (this is the beauty pageant that chooses the Philippine representatives to the Miss Universe and Miss World tournament) several months ago, Miss Janina San Miguel (who will represent us for the Ms. World competition) got castigated for her apparently-stupid answer and “Carabao English”.

She has been called many names: YouTube Queen (her video has gotten 2.3 Million hits!), and Melanie Marquez Jr. (Melanie Marquez is another Filipino beauty queen known for her legendary and spontaneous English) among others. By the way, the title of this article comes from the Melanie Marquez herself. When she was asked by media what she can say to people who are angry at her brother (another Filipino actor Joey Marquez who had an affair with former first daughter Kris Aquino), she answered with her trademark flair: “Don’t judge my brother, he’s not a book!”

This is what happened several weeks ago: Click on this Link to watch the full video.

I admit that I was also cringing when I first saw the video. But it was more because I was embarassed for her and not because I was laughing at her. One American has commented by saying that there are several things wrong with this whole incident: 1. There was pressure to speak a language that wasn’t her native tongue. 2) There was an obvious (and mistaken) assumption that mastery of English equals intelligence. 3) The crowd mocked her and 4) It’s only in the Philippines that people are mocked for their grammatical errors.

I love it that critics (mostly Filipinos) have made fun of her English by writing these (these are actual transcripts found on comment threads all over the internet). Talk about criticizing the speck out of someone’s eye without noticing the plank out of their own eyes. Onli in the Pilipins!

“She’s not polish yet. I don’t think she should represent us in International Pageant. She has to practice being in that spot I’ve there done that(except I did well with stroked of luck).”

“The problem with this woman is not only the grammar but the logic of her answer. I don’t think this woman is intelligent enough to represent Philippines in the Miss World pageant. she’d be lucky if she make it to the top 15, let alone winning the crown.”

“no comment, she doesnt deserved to win..judges please explain…”

And my personal favorite (drumroll please):

“Beauty is in the eye of the holder.”

As for me, I’m doggedly impressed by her tenacity and strength to withstand ridicule and take on all comers. That is something to respect.

Oh, and maybe as a comparison, you might want to watch this video about Ms. South Carolina in the Miss Teen USA pageant. See how the host was trying his hardest not to laugh:

1. Let’s Talk Politics
2. Gwapo is in the Genes