Nicole Borromeo’s manager airs his side on alleged contract violation

CEBU, Philippines — Rabie Ian Pogoy of Shutter Models and Talent Management, the manager of recently dethroned beauty queen Nicole Yance Borromeo, shed light on his ward’s alleged “infractions” and supposed violation of the contract she signed with the Reyna ng Aliwan organization that forbade her to join other pageants during her reign.

“I think this is the right time to speak about the recent issue on Reyna Aliwan 2019. I am saying this once and for all to end those malicious accusations. It is quite unfair that judgments have been made even without hearing our side,” Pogoy began in a lengthy statement posted recently on his Facebook page.

Reyna ng Aliwan stripped Borromeo of her crown, which she won April 28, handing over the title and responsibilities to Baguio City’s Roi Neeve Comanda in an August 29 ceremony. Generally met with sympathy and support from netizens, Borromeo released a statement that she respects the decision and wishes her good friend Comanda a fruitful reign.

Pogoy first explained that her participation in other pageants at the time was supposedly not a problem as agreed. After winning the top crown in Aliwan, Borromeo took part in Miss Teen Philippines, which had its coronation night on May 8 and where she placed second runner-up. He said that Nicole already earned her spot in Miss Teen Philippines in March, way before she was told of her Reyna ng Aliwan participation.

“Nicole passed the qualifying rounds for Miss Teen Philippines 2019 back on March 17, 2019 at SM Seaside City Cebu. That time, there was no definite decision if the Sinulog Festival would participate in Aliwan Fiesta. Sinulog Foundation said most likely they would not be sending a representative for Reyna ng Aliwan 2019. But a last-minute decision was made to send Nicole for Reyna ng Aliwan 2019,” he recounted.

He said his talent, then 18 years old, wanted to screen for Miss Teen Philippines as she would not be qualified to join the following editions because of the age limit.

They also raised the topic of Borromeo’s upcoming competitions – Miss Teen Philippines and Miss Millennial Philippines – to the Aliwan committee.

“Again, even before the final decision to send Nicole was made she was already qualified to join Miss Teen Philippines 2019,” he said. “For the record, John Michael Pepito, representative of Sinulog Foundation, Sir Ricky Ballesteros and I raised the concern on Reyna ng Aliwan’s committee [Jericho] regarding their policy on winners that are not allowed to join other national pageants after Reyna ng Aliwan.”

After sharing their concern, a staff member of Reyna ng Aliwan reached out to their team.

“Days after, Michael from Reyna ng Aliwan staff reached out to us. ‘Nakausap ko din si Jericho over the phone.’ We were informed that Nicole could still join since other candidates also raised the same concern,” said Pogoy.

“Quoting Jericho, he said, ‘Okay lang daw siyang sumali, as long as if ever manalo si Nicole, she has to make sure she will turn over.’ The moment we were informed that there was no conflict, then that was our reason to let Nicole push through for Reyna ng Aliwan 2019.”

Pogoy shared how happy they were to participate in Aliwan since it “is a grand event in the Philippines and a chance for Cebuanos like us to showcase to the world that we continue to celebrate Sinulog Festival.”

He feels “sad” that the waiver, which all candidates were asked to sign, was used against them when the initial agreement was that Nicole may honor her previous commitments, noting that other runners-up also took part in other competitions after Aliwan. Bulacan’s Aubrhie Cindyrelle Carpio, who placed first runner-up, was not handed the crown as she is also a Miss Millennial Philippines 2019 candidate like Borromeo.

“I could still recall that Jericho said if Nicole would win, what matters is she could fulfill her duties and she could turn over the crown. Luckily, Nicole won the pageant but it seems the words issued by the camp were not honored,” he continued.

On the day that the Aliwan Fiesta board held a meeting in May regarding Borromeo’s participation in other competitions, Pogoy said he was on his way to Carcar City for a judging stint. A lawyer phoned Pogoy and his team, and he was then asked to choose between Reyna ng Aliwan and joining Miss Millennial.

“We talked for 30 minutes and honestly, that was the hardest moment when they asked us to immediately decide. Tumaas talaga ang boses ko. Na-highblood ako. Pinakalma talaga nila ako. I don’t know what to say at all. I could recall how our team put so much effort for Nicole’s Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 stint. Hindi lang 30 minutes ang preparation namin for the pageant. Ang hirap at pawis na dinaanan namin para lang mailuwas ang costume, mga practices etc.”

“I could not still understand them when in fact they already knew from the beginning that Nicole is joining Miss Millennial Philippines 2019 as part of her duties being crowned Miss Millennial Cebu 2019 after Sinulog Festival 2019 coronation night,” Pogoy bemoaned.

He said it was heartbreaking to learn about a press conference that announced the new Reyna ng Aliwan title-holder, which took place the same day of the Miss Millennial Philippines candidates’ arrival in Manila.

“Nicole cried and all I could do was to hug her and tell her to look at the bright side. Honestly, if they just told us from the very beginning on the exact conflict, we would never insist to join Reyna ng Aliwan 2019. It could be my other model who won first runner-up during Sinulog Festival Queen [Ciairha Jenyne Monsanto]. We would even take it as an opportunity for Nicole to prepare for Miss Millennial Philippines,” he added.

Like Borromeo, Pogoy wishes Comanda the best as she assumes the Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 title.

“Let’s also be clear that we have no hard feelings to the newly crowned Reyna ng Aliwan 2019 Roi Neeve Comanda. We love her! Roommate siya ni Nicole. We are very happy with her new milestone and we wish her well in her reign.”

He also noted that the reason behind their desire to join Miss Millennial Philippines was the fact that Borromeo had won the chance to represent Cebu when she was crowned Sinulog Festival Queen in January.

“Let me raise another point. Ever since Nicole was crowned Sinulog Festival Queen 2019, we as well as Sinulog already made a decision that our top priority to join is Miss Millennial Philippines 2019 as part of her duties,” he pointed out. “I hope they would also understand that Nicole as the Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 has other duties to fulfill especially for the Cebuanos. The sashing of Nicole as Miss Millennial Cebu 2019 was witnessed by thousands of Cebuanos and nationwide and attended by ‘Eat Bulaga!’ hosts Maureen Wroblewitz and Ryan Agoncillo at Cebu City Sports Complex.”

“This is also not the first time a Sinulog Festival Queen joined Miss Millennial Philippines search and represented Cebu,” reminded Pogoy. Last year, Talisay City’s Shaila Mae Rebortera, a Reyna ng Aliwan 2018 runner-up, won the Miss Millennial Philippines 2018 crown.

Choosing Miss Millenial Philippines was also born after many deliberations. Pogoy and his team were later on convinced that joining the “Eat Bulaga!” competition was a good opportunity that would lead to growth, learnings, and even the promotion of Cebu.

On August 31, Borromeo along with the 39 other Miss Millennial Philippines candidates, were launched on “Eat Bulaga!” The Miss Mandaue 2018 first runner-up plans on featuring lesser-known places, hoping to have foreign and local tourists itching to visit the province through her on-air and online content.

Reiterating that he only wants the best for the Cebuana beauty queen and model, Pogoy closed his statement with this reminder: “If you preach about integrity and word of honor, I hope you also practice it even if we agreed on it verbally.”