Wilbert Tolentino reveals Herlene Budol’s ‘traumatic’ experience at Miss Planet International

TALENT manager Wilbert Tolentino has finally revealed what happened that led him to withdraw his talent Herlene Budol from the Miss Planet International 2022 pageant in Uganda.

In a vlog episode titled “The Full Story of Miss Planet International,” Tolentino recalled everything that  she and the  team experienced from the beginning up to the end.

Tolentino started off by showing the highlights of the pageant preparations and sharing photos of the candidates, news clippings about the event, and scenes of Budol’s fun times with the other contestants.

He said that the girls had to practice dancing on a rooftop because sponsors of the original venue backed off over unsettled dues. 

At that point, Budol was still hamming it up and looked like she was enjoying her time with the girls. 

“What’s up sa mga ka-Budol ko diyan!,” she told the camera aired on her vlog. “Nandito po kami sa rooftop ng aming hotel room. Mga ala una ng hapon dito, ‘yung araw galit na galit gustong manakit talagang sunugan dito but it’s okay kaya lalaban tayo ng sayawan,” 

No food, no hotel, no vaccine

But things later took a turn for the worse. 

Tolentino said the lack of food provisions during the candidates’ break time became one of their major issues. 

The candidates also got everyone’s social media accounts so that they could get in touch in case they would be separated, as the pageant was clearly poorly organized. 

It noted that over half of the contestants failed entry into Africa over the lack of Yellow Fever vaccine.

The candidates later had to look for their own places to stay via AirBnb because the residence they were promised was not available, he said.

“Sari-saring emosyon ang mga kandidata, epekto ng hindi maayos na sistema at hindi makakain nang tamang oras,” he said. 

Candidates backed out

Tolentino decided to finally pull out Budol from the pageant after two candidates’ revelations that their expenses have yet to be reimbursed. A few had also backed out. 

He showed clips of Budol in tears as she asked to be allowed to leave one of their venues.

“Pinauwi na sina Herlene sa kani-kanilang tirahan na inuupahan sa Uganda. Ganunpaman ay minahal niya ang mga bata sa Uganda at isinapuso niya ang kultura rito at marami siyang natutunan,” he said. 

Her experience was significant and memorable, he said.

“Di man naging maganda and kanyang karanasan sa pageant, subalit naging maganda naman ang iniwan na alaala ng mga taga Uganda kay Herlene Hipon dahil taos-puso niyang minahal ito,” he said.

Miss Planet International was supposed to be Budol’s first stint at an international pageant competition. This was after Tolentino bought the rights to the pageant. 

The comedian-turned-beauty queen had finished 1st runner-up in Binibining Pilipinas 2022. 

She lost her national costume upon arrival at the Uganda airport.

Photo credit: Herlene Budol Instagram