AT A RECENT celebration of Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag’s birthday, a number of former titleholders came. But 2023 winner Michelle Marquez Dee and reigning queen Ahtisa Manalo were missing.
Beatrice Luigi Gomez offered an explanation to INQUIRER Entertainment at the sidelines of the “Wear the Dream” event hosted by an international intimate apparel label in Makati City recently.
“We’re kinda sad that Ahtisa and MMD (Marquez) were not there. But we also understand that they’re busy right now, with Ahtisa especially, she’s busy preparing. And also MMD, she’s busy with her recent success,” explained Gomez, 2021 Miss Universe Philippines and Top 5 in the Miss Universe pageant of the same year.
Joining Gomez at Tayag’s party were her predecessor Rabiya Mateo, and Dee’s successor Chelsea Manalo and predecessor Celeste Cortesi. Gazini Ganados, the last Binibining Pilipinas queen to compete in Miss Universe, was also there.
Former Miss Universe delegates who have now become MUPH officers also attended the gathering — Ariella Arida and Lia Andrea Ramos.
Arida, who was third runner-up in the 2013 competition held in Russia, is now the MUPH national director for training and development.
“About the gathering at Voltaire’s, it was so fun, it was spontaneous. Everyone was busy. We all know Chelsea has her commitments with Miss Universe. And I’m really happy that all of us were able to gather on that day,” Gomez continued.
She also said she and the former Miss Universe Philippines titleholders who were at the gathering all expressed their full support to Manalo, who is set to compete soon.
Manalo will represent the Philippines in the 74th Miss Universe pageant that will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in November, where she will try to become the fifth Filipino woman to bring home the crown. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
