Ni ROBERT R. REQUINTINA

BETTER late than never.

Humingi ng paumanhin si Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 Nguyen Thi Loan sa reigning Miss International Kylie Verzosa ng Pilipinas at sa mga Pilipino sa hindi magagandang komento niya sa Pinay beauty queen noong nakaraang taon.

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Idinaan ni Nguyen, na sasali sa Miss Universe pageant sa Las Vegas sa susunod na buwan, ang kanyang public apology sa Instagram (IG) nitong nakaraang Oktubre 20.

Habang ipinapalabas ang Miss International 2016 beauty pageant, nag-post si Nguyen sa IG ng pangit na komento habang rumarampa si Kylie suot ang emerald swimwear sa swimsuit competition ng contest.

Na-bash ng Filipino fans si Nguyen dahil sa kanyang pamimintas. Kalaunan ay kinoronahan si Kylie bilang Miss International 2016. Siya ang ikaanim na Pilipinang nanalo sa prestihiyosong contest.

Naririto ang buong statement ni Nguyen:

“Dear Kylie & Filipino Beauty Fans,

“I would like to clarify a comment that I made last year. Please give me a minute to explain.

“A year ago, when I was checking information on social media, I saw a picture of Kylie, Miss International 2016. Just by natural reaction, I thought that it was not a good picture of her and I commented based on my honest feelings. You would agree with me that sometimes, even the most beautiful person, could have a non-really photogenic picture... due to the angle, lighting or a wrong moment.

“Perhaps, I could have stated things more clearly but due to my limited English I made you all misunderstood me. I want to emphazise that I don’t judge or comment about people just like that. Instead of being more explanative about my meaning, after realizing that I did not use my words correctly, I immediately deleted the comment.

“After that, I decided to keep silent because I did not want to cause any more misunderstandings or accidentally hurt anyone’s feelings (including Kylie’s ones if she would have noticed about that).

“I am so sorry for any inconvenience caused. I sincerely apologize for hurting Kylie and you by accident. This is a lesson for me and I will take more care in the future.

“I wish all Filipino fans good health and happiness... and congratulations Kylie for your successful year term as Miss International 2016. Best wishes for you!!” sabi ni Nguyen.

Ang 27 taong gulang na si Nguyen ay pageant veteran sa kanyang bansa. Una siyang sumali sa Miss Vietnam 2010 contest at umabot sa Top 5. Noong 2013, siya ay naging second runner-up sa Miss Vietnam Ethnic pageant. Naging kinatawan din siya ng Vietnam sa Miss World 2014 contest at isa sa nakasali sa Top 25 semifinalists.