Fashion designer Michael Cinco did not hold back when he weighed in on a brewing online row sparked by Mister Supranational Philippines 2024 Brandon Espiritu, taking aim at male pageant titleholders he accused of looking down on full-blooded Filipinos.
The Dubai-based couturier left a pointed comment that netizens quickly captured and circulated: “The nerve of these ordinary-looking guys acting superior when they don’t even look like they have any foreign ancestry… They only come to the Philippines to build a career and gain followers…DUHHH…”
Cinco’s reaction landed amid a wave of backlash against Espiritu, a Filipino-American titleholder who set off the controversy with a comment posted on Instagram. The remark appeared beneath a post by fellow Filipino-American model and pageant winner Jether Palomo, where Espiritu suggested the country would struggle to compete internationally without contestants of partial foreign descent — often referred to as “halfies.”
The exchange unfolded over several replies. After a netizen pointed out that none of the delegates sang in Tagalog despite representing the Philippines, Espiritu wrote, “because we aren’t from the Philippines. Why would we lie.” When the same commenter said he should then have represented his own country, Espiritu doubled down: “Tell that to all the front runners for the Philippines. This country wouldn’t have a chance on the national stage without us halfies.”
Cinco was not alone among public figures who pushed back. Miss Universe Philippines 2024 first runner-up Stacey Gabriel also condemned the language used, writing, “Disgraceful. You either embrace your Filipino heritage fully when you represent us or you don’t at all. This term ‘halfies’ is a destructive, racially-motivated word designed to needlessly segregate us.”
Many online took offense at what they read as a dismissal of full-blooded Filipino athletes and performers who have brought honor to the country across various international stages.
Facing mounting criticism, Espiritu issued an apology and sought to walk back his words. He acknowledged the comment had been impulsive and said he understood why it struck so many as disrespectful. He asked the public to spare his business partners, employees, and other associates from the fallout, saying they had nothing to do with the matter.
Palomo, for his part, had earlier explained that the moment in question stemmed from a pageant segment where contestants were asked to perform a song in their native language — clarifying that his “I pledge allegiance to the flag” reference pointed to the United States. Espiritu’s reply on that thread had been a brief “raise that flag brother.”
In his statement, Espiritu underscored that diminishing fellow Filipinos was never his intent. “I am proud to represent the Philippines and proud of my Filipino heritage. The last thing I would ever want is to diminish the accomplishments of Filipinos, whether they are full Filipino, mixed Filipino, or anyone who has had the honor of carrying our flag on the international stage,” he said.
