Imelda Schweighart says cake critique was personal opinion, not generalization

The comment prompted strong reactions from netizens and local officials, eventually leading the former beauty queen to issue a clarification.

In a Facebook post, Schweighart shared her personal assessment of local pastries, citing dryness, excessive sweetness, and what she viewed as poor presentation. She also claimed there were “no good bakers” in the city and criticized the widespread use of margarine over butter.

Her post quickly gained traction on social media. While some users supported her call for higher food standards, others criticized the tone of her remarks, calling them dismissive of local entrepreneurs. Palawan Board Member Rafael Ortega also weighed in, describing Schweighart’s words as “harsh” and lacking empathy for small business owners.

In response, Schweighart released a clarification post, stating that her critique was a matter of personal taste and not a general attack on all local bakers.

“What I posted was my personal opinion — hindi generalization,” she wrote. “Wala akong sinabi na lahat ng bakers ay walang kwenta. Wala akong binanggit na pangalan. Pero somehow, some of you felt attacked.”

She added that she is open to discovering better local options, saying, “Gutom lang ako sa fluff, hindi sa drama.”

Schweighart, who represented Puerto Princesa and won the Miss Philippines Earth title in 2016, is no stranger to controversy. She resigned from her title that same year after drawing criticism for remarks about Miss Earth 2016 Katherine Espín, whom she accused of having undergone cosmetic surgery.

In 2020, she also faced backlash for comments about K-pop fans, claiming the trend threatened Filipino cultural identity.

Despite the criticisms, no formal complaint has been filed regarding her recent remarks, and no specific business or individual was named in her posts.

As of this writing, the online discourse continues, with some calling for higher culinary standards in the city, while others urge greater sensitivity in delivering public criticism.