Jonas Gaffud: Vickie Rushton should’ve gotten a crown

MANILA – For beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud, Vickie Rushton deserves a Binibining Pilipinas crown despite her poor performance at the question and answer round.

Gaffud, who left the pageant camp Aces and Queens to be the creative and events director of Miss Universe Philippines, believes Rushton’s performance was enough for her to win one of the six Bb. Pilipinas crowns.

“Kung sana kahit naman ganun ‘yung pagkasagot niya – kung ako lang ha – basing on her performance, parang sana may crown pa rin,” he said in an interview with the entertainment website Pep.

“Pero siyempre, hindi natin alam ‘yung takbo ng isip ng judges and we have to respect that,” he added.

Gaffud said he would push for Rushton to win a crown if he were a judge in the pageant.

But he admitted that even with that, he can only do so much. “Ipu-push ko siya. Ipu-push, pero halimbawa ang vote ko isa lang naman, e di talo ka,” he explained.

Citing the incident involving Rushton, Gaffud went on to stress the importance of being prepared in all aspects of the pageant.

“Despite all the awards, despite all the catwalk skills and all, the Q&A is very crucial. Pero siyempre, bago ka makapasok sa Q&A, dapat naman magaling ka rin naman at maganda ka, di ba?” he noted.

Gaffud went on: “Dapat alam mo lahat ng aspeto ng competition. From doing your makeup, as simple as what to wear every day, mga ganyan, alam mo. Hanggang sa, parang whole na whole ka, buong-buo ka na sumali… Dapat no stones are left unturned.”

Rushton was widely tipped to win the Miss Universe Philippines crown, with the former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate raking in six special awards.

However, she fell short of getting even a runner-up finish because of her performance at the question and answer round.

In a previous interview, reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray hopes that Rushton will make a comeback in Bb. Pilipinas next year.

“I would totally root for her if she’s planning to join again,” Gray said of Rushton, who was her first runner-up in Bb. Pilipinas in 2018.