LAS VEGAS, Nevada (The Adobo Chronicles) – It looked like a scene from the reality TV show, ‘The Apprentice.’ Donald Trump basically told the Miss Universe franchise holders of Japan and the Philippines : ‘You’re fired!’

Trump, the owner of the Miss Universe organization announced that he has decided to disqualify Miss Japan, Ariana Miyamoto, and the newly-crowned Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, from participating in this year’s Miss Universe Pageant.

The reason?  Both beauty queens are ‘half and half,’ meaning Miss Japan is only half Japanese and Miss Philippines is half Filipina.

Twenty-year-old Miss Japan Ariana Miyamoto was born to a Japanese mother and an African-American father in Sasebo, Nagasaki, the location of a major American naval base.

Twenty six-year-old Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach  is a Filipino-German actress and model. She competed in the Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) pageant three times, winning on her third attempt. (It pays to try and try again.)

In making his decision to disqualify the Asian candidates, Trump said, “the goal of Miss Universe is to choose a world beauty that represents her country to the fullest extent. Having a half and half candidate  from any participating country is not in keeping with the Miss Universe ideals.”

Activists immediately criticized Trump, a Republican, and accused him of racism.  Trump responded by saying that “this is not about racism.  Rather, it is about celebrating the purity of diversity in our universe.”