Panama | The Adobo Chronicles

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (The Adobo Chronicles®) – Pope Francis starts his 7-day trip to three countries in South America, with a clear message to Donald Trump.

The Roman Catholic Pontiff urged the countries of Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay to boycott the Miss Universe pageant over owner Trump’s disparaging remarks about Mexican immigrants to the U.S. The real estate mogul who is running for president called Mexican immigrants “rapists, drug addicts and criminals.”

Earlier, Mexico and Panama had announced that they were dropping off from pageant.

The Philippines also recently became the first Asian country to boycott the pageant.

Francis said that the comments by Trump, a former Catholic, is not in keeping with church teachings about loving one’s neighbor, especially one that is just south of the border.

More Latin American countries are expected to drop off from the Miss Universe pageant in solidarity with Mexico.

Reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles®) – The Philippines became the first Asian country to drop out of the Miss Universe pageant in protest over Donald Trump’s comments about Mexican immigrants. It is joining several Latin American countries in boycotting the most popular international beauty competition owned by Trump.

Earlier, Mexico dropped out of the pageant, followed by Panama. More Latin American countries are expected to follow suit.

The Philippines has close historical ties with Mexico, dating back to the days of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade which began in the 16th century. The country was also colonized by Spain for more than three centuries.

Mexico (1991, 2010) and the Philippines (1969, 1973) each have two Miss Universe title holders, while Panama has one (2002 runner-up Miss Panama took over as Miss Universe after the winner, Miss Russia, was dethroned four months into her reign). All three countries have previously hosted the Miss Universe pageant.

So what happens with reigning Miss Philippines-Universe Pia Wurtzbach (who has been romantically linked to President NoyNoy Aquino)? Perhaps, she can become the queen of Malacañang, the presidential palace. But that remains to be just a rumor.

Actually, the Philippines has decided to send two representatives to this year’s Miss World Pageant, one of them being Wurtzbach.

Double the chances for the crown, eh?