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Former Wowowin Host Herlene Budol Wants to be a Spokesperson for Autism Awareness
Herlene Budol, known as Hipon Girl, wants to bring Autism Awareness into the spotlight as a Binibining Pilipinas candidate.
Herlene Nicole Budol, better known as Hipon Girl and host of Wowowin, made it as a candidate for Binibining Pilipinas 2022. Prior to being a candidate, Herlene shared on Instagram that if she does make it as a candidate, she will push for autism awareness as her advocacy in the pageant.
Why Herlene Budol chose autism
In her Instagram post, dated April 22, Herlene explained in Filipino why she is advocating for autism.
“Nais kung makatulong sa pagmulat sa mga magulang ang importance ng maagang detection nang autism. Para malunasan or lumaki ang batang may autism na may medical attention. At sila ay maging kapakipakinabang na mamamayan paglaki nila,” she said. “Importante magkaroon ng speech and occupational [sic] therapy dahil I believe [the] children are our future.”
(I want to help in raising awareness among parents about the importance of early detection of autism. So they can immediately identify it. And so that a child with autism can have an important role in society when they grow up. It’s important to have speech and occupational therapy because I believe the children are our future.)
A spokesperson for autism
According to the TV host, actress, and vlogger, she thought about the issue of autism because after she joined Wowowin, her hosting skills became like speech therapy to improve herself.
Explaining that she was raised by her Nanay Bireng at Tatay Oreng, Herlene said they are not aware of the condition.
“Hindi sila aware pag ang isang bata ay may limitadong kakayahan sa pakikipag usap o tinatawag na delayed speech ay kailangan kumunsulta sa specialist para magkaron ng assesment. Pero s’yempre, kinoconsider ni Hipon Girl ‘nyo na dati ay hindi rin uso ang mga ganyang proseso at kailangan gawin bukod sa mahirap din ang buhay namin noon,” she said.
(They are not aware that a child who may have limited capabilities in speaking or has a speech delay needs to consult a specialist to have an assessment. But your Hipon Girl wasn’t aware of this. And that this should have been done because our life was hard back then.)
“Kaya eto talaga ang gusto ko maging advocacy ko sa pag sali ng Binibining Pilipinas at maging Spokeperson sa AUTISM AWARENESS!!“
(That is why this is the advocacy I chose. And if I do get into Binibining Pilipinas, I will become a spokesperson for Autism Awareness.)
Overwhelmed messages
A day after she made it as a candidate for Bb. Pilipinas, Herlene Budol posted a thank you message to everyone. She says that she has also been getting a lot of messages about her desire to bring more awareness to autism.
“Nakakataba po ng puso ang pag cheer up nyo sa akin at lumalakas loob ko dahil yan sa inyo mga Ka-Hiponatics. Tapos, kaliwa’t kanan ang tawag sa messenger para batiin ang aking advocacy para sa AUTISM AWARENESS & DETECTION! TY po ng marami mga Super Mom at mga single mom na nag hahanga sa aking Advocacy dahil may anak din sila Autism,” she said said.
(My heart is overwhelmed with all the support I have been getting. My confidence is getting better because of all the Ka-Hiponatics. And apart from that, I have been getting a lot of messages regarding my advocacy for autism awareness and detection. Thank you to all the super moms and single moms out there who believe in my advocacy. Because they know what it feels to have children with autism.)
“Saludo po ako sa inyo at sisikapin ko maging spokeperson sa aking advocacy para makatulong sa mga nangangailangan.”
(I salute you all. And I will make sure I’ll work hard as a spokesperson for my advocacy so I can help others.)
Who is Herlene Budol?
Herlene rose to fame when she joined Wowowin as a contestant. She was later asked to be a regular host. Since then, she has made a name as a comedian, actress, and vlogger.
Herlene joined several pageants and went on to win Binibining Angono in 2017. She earned the monicker Hipon Girl because many people could not believe she won over beautiful women in the contest.
Hipon in colloquial terms means a person with a sexy or good body but less attractive facial features.
Herlene is one of 40 candidates who will vie for four titles in Bb. Pilipinas. The finals are scheduled in July.
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Autism Awareness: 3 Celebrities Who Have Been Open About Family Members with Autism
Regina Hahn-Siy: On Opportunities And The Rewards of Motherhood
6 Beauty Queens from the 2010s Who Are Now Moms
