'Challenge the system': Joy Barcoma laments Filipinos' 'defeated mindset'

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February 4, 2026 | 12:35pm

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma went viral anew this time for her dissatisfaction with Filipinos settling for inaction.

After making the rounds for comments responding to a remark by Commission of Elections chairperson George Garcia on Filipino voting habits, the beauty queen posted on her Facebook account lamenting why some compatriots are fine having a "defeated mindset."

Joy listed sample statements like "Lahat naman ng pulitiko corrupt," "Di mo naman pwede utusan ang magnanakaw/rapist," and "Wala namang mangyayari kahit magreklamo ka" as reasons to "unlearn our learned helplessness."

"These statements don't protect us, they silence us," Joy continued. "These things breed corruption, normalize abuse, excuse incompetence, and only reward those who benefit from a broken system."

She called on Filipinos to not fear challenging the system in place, as standing up for just causes and not silence is what breaks broken systems.

"Ang katahimikan ay hindi kapayapaan, ito ay pahintulot," the beauty queen ended in all uppercase letters.

Joy represented the Philippines at Miss Earth 2025, where she finished as a runner-up alongside representatives from Brazil, Chile, and Ukraine.

RELATED: Joy Barcoma opens discussion on Filipinos' voting habits after Comelec chair's remark