According to Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP), Via Millan-Windowski, who won the final over the weekend, will represent the Philippines at the World Miss Universe competition in November. However, shortly after winning the championship, local people criticized him for being a true representative of the Philippines, citing that he grew up in Wisconsin in the U.S. and was not good at Filipino culture and language.
Milan-Windowski studied history and international relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He drew attention with his outstanding intellectual answers at the competition.
When asked in the final round, “Is it worth representing the Philippines despite citizens’ complaints?” he said, “Growing up in the United States, he recognized me as a Filipino first,” adding, “We need to create domestic opportunities so that Filipinos don’t have to go abroad to survive.”
Nevertheless, the controversy does not seem to go down easily. Some Internet users pointed out that foreigners won the championship because native Filipinos were used to represent the U.S. in other beauty contests. Another netizen expressed doubts, saying, “Didn’t you come to the Philippines to increase your chances of winning the election?”
As the controversy spread, Milan-Windowski appeared on a talk show on the 7th and made a head-on breakthrough. Revealing that he is a dual citizen of birth, he confessed, “I have been trying to overcome the wounds of my childhood, which were considered strangers in both the United States and the Philippines.” “Just as I chose the Philippines as my home, I feel like the Philippines finally chose me through this victory,” he said.
Experts analyzed that the incident reignited a long-standing debate about the identity of the Philippines. “The idea of being a Filipino only living in your home country is somewhat closed,” said Jean Nabera, a lecturer at the National University of Singapore. “What matters is shared values and commitment to represent the country.”
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
