MANILA, Philippines – Jessy Mendiola spoke up about the comment she made regarding Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach after she got criticized on social media.

In an interview with reporters during the Star Magic anniversary on Sunday, July 31, Jessy said the comment was taken out of context. (IN PHOTOS: Jessy Mendiola at FHM’s 100 Sexiest 2016)

“Para sa akin at that moment, nag joke ako na para bang ‘Shucks talo ko pa si Pia sa trato sa akin ngayon.’ Kumbaga, parang what I meant was ‘yung context na grabe ‘yung overwhelming feeling. Kumbaga, ‘yung trato ninyo sa akin, parang queen na din,” Jessy said.

(For me at that moment, I joked that it was like ‘Shucks I beat Pia the way I’m being treated now.’ In other words, what I meant was that I really felt overwhelmed. In other words, I was also treated like a queen.)

“It was taken out of context and nung nabalitaan ko, nabasa ko nga, parang natawa na lang ako. Parang really?…Wala naman ako sinabi na sobrang sama para magalit yung taong-bayan sa akin.”

(It was taken out of context and when I heard about it, I read about it, I found it amusing. Like really?… I did not even say anything that would make everyone mad at me.)

Jessy also said she’s grateful that Pia even defended her over the issue. On Twitter, Pia said she saw nothing wrong with the viral video where Jessy said: “Talo ko pa si Pia Wurtzbach diba? Nakakaloka ang ganito, sobrang overwhelming. Kung siya confidently beautiful with a heart, tayo sexy, so confidently sexy with a heart.”

(I beat Pia Wurtzbach right? This is really crazy, it’s so overwhelming. If she’s confidently beautiful with a heart, I’m sexy, so confidently sexy with a heart.)

In response, the beauty queen said: “What I saw was a girl who was just really ecstatic to be given that recognition. Nothing wrong with that. Congratulations, Jessy!”

What I saw was a girl who was just really ecstatic to be given that recognition.  Nothing wrong with that.  Congratulations, Jessy!

— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@PiaWurtzbach) July 29, 2016

“I asked some of my friends na friends din niya to extend my gratitude. Ang sweet nga niya to tweet that. Kung siya nga nakita niya as a joke ‘yun, bakit parang other people won’t see that as a joke?” Jessy said.

(I asked some of my friends who are also friends with her to extend my gratitude. It was very sweet of her to tweet that. If she saw it as a joke, why won’t other people see that as a joke?)

Jessy also defended herself after many accused her of letting fame go to her head. (READ: Lea Salonga defends Jessy Mendiola over body-shaming comments)

“Sa pagkakaalam ko, hindi ako nagmayabang. Pangalawa, wala naman akong nilait na tao o kaya minaltrato. Pero siguro for me, why do people hate others who are so just confident with themselves? Sa panahon ngayon, instead of, you know, us women helping each other to stand up and be strong, tayo pa ‘yung [nagsisiraan]. Pag nakita natin ‘yung flaw niya, ididiin pa natin, na instead of it’s okay, you have this to feel pretty or to feel confident.”

(From what I know, I wasn’t being arrogant. Second, I did not criticize or mistreat anyone. But I guess for me, why do people hate others who are so just confident with themselves? During these times, instead of, you know, us women helping each other to stand up and be strong, we’re the ones who [destroy each other]. If we see a woman’s flaw, we would keep emphasizing it instead of saying it’s okay, you have this to feel pretty, to feel confident.)

“Kumbaga, na sana not only with women [but] all the people, not only on social media… Tignan muna natin ‘yung mga sarili natin bago magsalita ng masasama sa iba,” Jessy added.

(I mean it’s not only women [but] all the people, not only on social media… Let’s assess ourselves first before we say anything bad about others.) – Rappler.com