Umani ng iba't ibang reaksiyon at komento ang litrato ni Binibining Pilipinas candidate Herlene Budol a.k.a "Hipon Girl" dahil sa kaniyang afro-hairstyle.
"I love my Fro' - it's not just a hairstyle ; it's a statement - Herlene Hipon," ayon sa kaniyang caption, sa Facebook post nitong Martes, Hulyo 5.
Nagkomento naman dito ang kaniyang talent manager na si Wilbert Tolentino.
"Grabe 3 months na itong picture ngayon pa lang na-release," saad ni Wilbert sa comment section.
Sey naman ni Daisy Lopez a.k.a. "Madam Inutz" na mina-manage din ni Wilbert, "Kahit mukhang nasabugan ng bomba buhok mo kapatid maganda ka pa rin love you!"
May mga pumuri kay Herlene dahil hindi raw sila makapaniwala sa total transformation nito.
"Si Hipon lang ang nagpa-trend ng Binibining Pilipinas 2022 ngayon, kaya daming views at abangers."
"Queen! I love the way she's not afraid of trying new concept and new race!!"
"Super ganda talaga ni Hipon Girl! Slay, queen!"
"Parang hindi ako mkapaniwala Herlene… bigla na lang nag-90 degree turn around ang buhay mo from stand-ip comedian to a well-pampered beautiful lady… meron ka na ngayong poise… please continue reaching for the stars but keep your feet planted on the ground…
Kung may mga pumuri, may mga umokray naman at tumawag sa kaniyang atensiyon na ito raw ay "racist" at "cultural appropriation".
"'I love my Fro' - it's not just a hairstyle ; it's a statement'. THAT'S RIGHT, TELL THEM WHAT'S UP OUR BLASIAN KWEEN."
"Black fishing and cultural appropriation content with racist remarks stomoyorn, ginawang fashion yung Afro hair (which is not applicable if they’re not black) then sinabihan na mukhang nasabugan daw ng bomba yung hair like ma’am.. pick a struggle."
"'It's not just a hairstyle; it's a statement.' Yeah, if you're black or a native born with natural Afros, which apparently either of that aren't the case. Miss ma'am needs to reevaluate her choices and deserves a better handling from the management."
"As much as I love this look, please take this down and learn what Cultural Appropriation means. Black people are constantly being culturally appropriated so don't add onto it na po please. Good luck Madam!"
"Beh? Hindi ka naman black to use Afro hair? Lmao. Please wag nating gawing pang-display ang ulo. Lagyan din natin laman ang jutaks. I-google na lang natin cultural appropriation."
Hindi rin pinalagpas ng bashers ang naging komento ni Madam Inutz na "mukhang nasabugan ng bomba" ang buhok ni Herlene.
"Madam Inutz Wow. What a way to insult African hair culture."
"Madam Inutz Wow? The disrespect to African culture?"
"Madam Inutz, mukhang magkapatid nga po talaga kayo hehe. Parehong insensitive hahahaha."
Ayon sa Britannica, ang cultural appropriation ay nagaganap "when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical way."
Sa isa pang pagpapakahulugan, ito ay "unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society."
Noong nakaraang buwan ay na-call out din si Herlene dahil naman sa "slut shaming" gayong binigyan niya ng pagpupugay ang lahat ng uri ng babae, anuman ang kanilang estado o kalagayan sa buhay.
Habang isinusulat ito ay wala pang tugon, reaksiyon, o pahayag sina Herlene, Madam Inutz, at maging ang kanilang talent manager na si Wilbert Tolentino tungkol dito.