Ybonne Ortega
ISA na namang kandidata sa 2021 Miss Universe Philippines pageant ang napilitang mag-quit sa laban dahil sa COVID-19.
Ibinalita ni Ybonne Ortega ng Davao City sa pamamagitan ng social media na hindi na niya itutuloy ang kanyang pageant journey matapos tamaan ng nakamamatay na virus.
Narito ang mensahe ng dalaga na ipinost niya sa Instagram nitong nagdaang weekend, “Sometimes the stars don’t align even when you really want it to but eventually it will because God’s timing is always perfect. Have faith and trust His delays.”
“It breaks my heart that I won’t be able to formally compete in the Miss Universe Philippines 2021. Even before meeting the MUPh team and co-candidates, I had tested positive for COVID-19,” paliwanag ng aspiring Miss Universe.
Aniya pa, “I kept quiet hoping that my situation would change and retesting would result with negative results. Unfortunately, this is not yet my time to compete in the final stretch of the MUPh pageant.”
Nanghihinayang man, kinailangang unahin muna ng physical therapy graduate Davaoeña ang kanyang kalusugan. Kasalukuyang nagpapagaling ang dalaga sa isang lugar dito sa Manila, ayon sa kanyang pamilya.
Isa si Ybonne sa mga kandidata na nakapasa sa lahat ng online challenges ng pageant na nagdala sa kanya sa listahan ng Final 30 na siyang maglalaban-laban sa grand coronation night.
Nauna rito, naglabas din ng saloobin ang dalaga tungkol sa natatanggap na hate comments mula sa mga bashers sa social media.
“The worst part about this experience is not about being positive. It was about those negative individuals who try to drag you down or spread false information while you’re trying to do your best.
“Despite this short but very exciting journey, I came across with so many amazing people in different industries.
“They had supported me in the most special ways from the beginning up until now. Your efforts are immensely treasured,” aniya pa.
Nangako naman si Ybonne na hindi pa rin niya isusuko ang pangarap niyang maging beauty queen para na rin sa ipinaglalaban niyang mga adbokasiya.
Kasalukuyan nang nasa bubble set-up sa isang hotel sa Clark Pampanga ang mga official candidates ng Miss Universe Philippines pageant ngunit wala pang announcement kung saan ang venue ng coronation night.
Kung matatandaan, umatras din sa laban si Joanna Marie Rabe mula sa Zambales matapos tamaan ng dengue. Ito’y base na rin sa payo ng kanyang mga doktor na kailangan pa niya ng mahaba-habang panahon para tuluyang maka-recover.
Samantala, hindi matutuloy ang coronation night ng 2021 Miss Universe Philippines sa Sept. 25, ayon sa mga organizers ng pageant.
Sa Facebook page ng Miss Umiverse Philippines nakasaad ang announcement na, “We will announce the final date of the pageant as soon as we get the final approval from IATF for our enhanced plans for the finals. Rest assured that once we receive the final go signal, you will be the first to know.”