The Candidate Who "Passed Away"

Leslie Ann Pine

MANILA – Miss Philippines Earth contestant Leslie Ann Pine finally spoke on the reason why she passed out – or “passed away” as mistakenly mentioned by her fellow competitor – during a pre-pageant event last week.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Pine denied that she skipped breakfast because she was on “weight watch,” as earlier claimed by fellow contestant Pircelyn Pialago.

“No, I did not skip breakfast. I don’t know why she said that and we were together during breakfast,” Pine said, smiling.

She went on to admit that she lacked sleep prior to the bikini competition.

“It was not due to lack of eating. It was because of lack of sleep… the lack of sleep caused severe imbalance of electrolytes which caused the whole body minor paralysis,” she said.

To prove that she is strong, Pine walked the entire Santacruzan route in Vigan, Ilocos Sur without passing out.

Last week, Pialago generated online buzz after saying in an interview aired on “TV Patrol” that Pine “passed away” after “depriving herself” of food.

“I kept on inviting her to eat breakfast but she didn’t want to eat kasi we’re under weight watch,” Pialago told ABS-CBN News. “There are like six girls who are under weight watch, for big tummies and stuff. We’re not really allowed to eat much, so she’s really depriving herself.”

Shortly after the interview aired, viewers of “TV Patrol” reacted to the wrong use of “passed away” in referring to Pine losing consciousness.

Pialago has sent a text message to ABS-CBN News saying she is sorry for incorrectly using the term.

“Can’t imagine that this mistake will make me trending in social media. Sorry a lot! Please don’t be too harsh, people,” she said.

Pine to Pialago: You did nothing wrong

Despite Pialago’s slipup, Pine stressed that her fellow candidate has nothing to apologize for.

“I honestly don’t think that you should be apologizing to these people. You did nothing wrong. She did nothing wrong to me as well. In any traumatic situation you would have improper grammar,” she said in the interview with ABS-CBN News, where Pialago was right next to her.

Pialago, a reporter for PTV 4, thanked Pine and her fellow journalists who defended her over her “passed away” comment.“I’d like to thank Mr. Anthony Taberna and Jorge Cariño for defending me against bashers. Nobody’s perfect. I really appreciate it as I also come from media. I just hope this will not make me less as a journalist,” she said.

“I may not be the Miss Philippines Earth 2014 but I can assure you I can be your journalist forever… I was just really traumatized, panicked, exhausted during that time because she is a close friend of mine,” she added.


Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/05/05/14/why-miss-ph-earth-bet-passed-away