IMELDA Schweighart has resigned as Miss Philippines-Earth after the bashing she received on social media.
In an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines, Lorraine Schuck, executive vice-president of Carousel Productions, confirmed that Schweighart and her mother personally met with her to convey their decision.
"They voluntarily resigned. She can't handle it anymore," Schuck said.
Schweighart's resignation came after a video of her bad mouthing Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espin of Ecuador became viral on the Internet.
She was heard saying: “Yung nanalo peke ilong, peke baba, peke boobs! Miss Earth, dapat natural.”
In a separate interview, the 21-year-old apologized for her unmindful statement but said she felt offended that someone posted the private video online.
"I didn't mean to offend Miss Ecuador...I don't know her enough but she was my roommate," she said.
Schweighart explained that when the video was taken, she was in the heat of the moment and felt bad because the supposed gown she will wear in the pageant was given to Espin.
She said Miss Guam was nice enough to lend her something to wear.
"I was so unmindful while I was saying it. If it's a crime to tell the truth, I'm sorry. I was talking to my supporters, thinking that I could be comfortable with them because they've given me much support."
"Someone took a video from afar and posted online. You put a side of a person's integrity out there. What is that? Hindi makabayan gawin yun. It was supposed to be private."
The Puerto Princesa beauty reiterated she's not bitter but offended by what took place.
"They judge me [and say] I have a bad attitude. Seriously, I wouldn't be here in this industry if I have a bad attitude because I wouldn't endure the pain if I am what they say I am."
Even though she apologized publicly to Espin, Schweighart is standing by her statement that one should remain true to herself.
"You don't have to be careful in what you are saying. You have to be real. That's what people need. Whatever I received from the bashing, it's their comprehension. They cannot understand what I'm saying, they don't know where I'm coming from, they don't know what I know."
Schweighart will be replaced by first runner-up Kiara Giel Gregorio for the Miss Philippines-Earth title. (Sunnex)