Kandidata sa 2020 Miss Universe Philippines, atras kahit COVID-19 survivor na

ni Lolet Abania | October 15, 2020

Ipinahayag ng isa sa mga kandidata ng Miss Universe Philippines na si Maria Isabela Galeria ng Sorsogon ang pag-atras niya sa pageant kahit pa nakarekober na ito sa COVID-19.

"As you may all know, I tested positive for COVID19. I started to develop signs and symptoms on September 27, 2020, starting with nasal congestion and loss of sense of taste/smell," nai-post sa IG ni Isabela.

Ayon kay Isabela, nakakaramdam siya paminsan-minsan na may mabigat sa kanyang dibdib. "Fortunately, it was bearable and didn't progress to a more severe level of DOB (Difficulty of Breathing)," sabi ni Isabela.

Bukod sa mga sintomas na naranasan, may lumabas sa kanyang katawan na rashes na ayon kay Isabela ay napakakati at nanuyot din ang kanyang balat.

"I woke up last October 3 with red, itchy, and teary eyes. I was under a handful of medications for more than two weeks to manage my symptoms," post ng kandidata.

"Following the 14-day quarantine, I was supposed to be released on October 8. As per protocol, I needed to be asymptomatic for three days before discharge. Unfortunately, I was still manifesting some symptoms," dagdag niya.

Gayunman, noong October 11, idineklara si Isabela ng Department of Health (DOH) at kanyang ama bilang mga COVID-19 survivors. Subali’t sa tingin ni Isabela, kahit na nakarekober na siya sa Coronavirus, wala pa sa kondisyon ang kanyang katawan at hindi handang sumabak sa kompetisyon.

"I'm forever grateful to each of you who invested so much time and effort in helping me through this journey; however, even with a strong will to fight, my body is not well conditioned yet," pahayag ng dalaga.

"I still feel tired, and I don't think my body will allow me to participate in the activities of Miss Universe Philippines," sabi pa niya.

Miss Universe candidate, positibo sa COVID-19

ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | September 28, 2020

Positibo sa COVID-19 ang representative ng Sorsogon province sa Miss Universe Philippines pageant na si Maria Isabela Galeria.

Post ni Galeria sa kanyang Instagram account, "Hello everyone, with so much sadness in my heart, I regret to inform you that I tested positive for COVID-19 rtPCR. This news breaks my heart deeply and I apologize if ever I put you at risk.

"We followed and did all the safety precautions to safeguard from the infection, however it still found us.”

Aniya pa, "I have spoken with those that I saw recently. My team, my MUP sisters, and those I had close contact with in Manila all tested negative. I am in isolation and quarantined now.”

Payo naman ni Galeria sa mga nagkaroon ng close contact sa kanya: "I ask whoever came into close contact with me to please inform your City/Municipal Health Officers and their team to check on your condition. Hoping that I did not pass on to you the virus.

"I am truly, deeply sorry.”

Pinay transgender, kauna-unahang Miss Trans Global

ni Lolet Abania | September 13, 2020

Isang Filipina transgender ang pinalad na magwagi sa kauna-unahang international pageant na Miss Trans Global 2020.

Si Mela Franco Habijan, 33-anyos, na representative ng bansa sa Miss Trans Global 2020, ang nakatanggap ng crown at kinilalang Eloquent Queen of the Year. Napili si Mela ng anim na judges na nagbigay sa kanya ng 60/60 score.

Kasunod si Rebeckah Loveday ng Australia, 59/60 score at Semakaleng Mothapo ng South Africa, 57/60 score. Bago sumali sa pageant si Mela na dating tinatawag na Erick, isa siyang entertainment writer sa ABS-CBN, aktres, performer, negosyante at kilalang advocate ng LGBTQ.

Taong 2014 ang naging turning point ni Mela para pasukin ang beauty pageant. Nakita niya sa sarili ang manifestation ng isang babae. “Ang nasabi ko lang sa sarili ko, ang ganda mo,” sabi ni Mela. “I felt so comfortable. That night, I just enjoyed everything.” Gayundin, suportado si Mela ng kanyang ama sa lahat ng vision niya sa buhay.

“If you think you’ll be a better person as a woman, go live your life,” sabi ng tatay ni Mela. Sa ngayon, ini-enjoy pa ni Mela ang pagkapanalo bilang unang transgender queen.