Advertisement

COVID-survivor beauty queen withdraws from Miss Universe pageant

16 Oct – Sorsogon beauty queen Maria Isabela Galeria recently announced that she is withdrawing from the Miss Universe-Philippines pageant.

As reported on Push, the beauty queen, who previously revealed that she was diagnosed with COVID-19, announced her decision on social media on 15 October.

She wrote, "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. With a heavy heart, I believe now is not the right time to join the pageant. I still feel tired, and I don't think my body will allow me to participate in the activities of Miss Universe Philippines."

"I hope you understand this is something beyond my control. I've thought hard and cried for so many nights about this. I have the willpower, but my body is not cooperating. I'm praying for your utmost understanding," she added.

Galeria revealed that she started to develop signs and symptoms in late September - starting with nasal congestion and loss of sense of taste and smell, and the occasional heaviness in her chest. She added that it took more than two weeks to manage her symptoms.

"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. Last October 11, DOH declared my dad and me as COVID SURVIVORS. Praise be to God!!" she added.

(Photo Source: Maria Isabela Galeria Instagram)