Maria Isabela Galeria, Sorsogon’s representative for the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, took to Instagram last Thursday, October 15, to announce that she is stepping down from the competition as she is still recovering from her battle with the fast-spreading COVID-19 disease.
She revealed the news on her social media accounts, first recounting her journey of having COVID-19.
“I started to develop signs and symptoms on September 27, 2020, starting with nasal congestion and loss of sense of taste/smell,” she began to narrate. “I occasionally felt like there was something heavy on my chest. Fortunately, it was bearable and didn't progress to a more severe level of DOB (Difficulty of Breathing).”
“I then started to manifest rashes accompanied by extreme itchiness and dry skin. 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,” she went on.
Isabela recalled that after a 14-day quarantine, she was supposed to be released on October 8. However, she still displayed some symptoms of the disease, causing a delay.
By October 11, the Department of Health (DOH) declared her and her father, who also tested positive for the disease, as survivors of COVID-19, finally testing negative.
“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,” she said.
Despite recovering from COVID-19, Isabela has decided that it is not the right time to continue on with Miss Universe Philippines, with her body still feeling the effects of the disease.
“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,” she announced.
“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,” she told her followers.
The 22-year-old beauty queen concluded her announcement by asking prayers from her supporters before sending love and signing off.
“This is your Miss Universe Philippines SORSOGON 2020, Maria Isabela Galeria.” she ended her post.
It could be recalled that the model, who is also a registered nurse and a healthcare advocate, finished in the Top 15 during the 2019 Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
The remaining candidates for Miss Universe Philippines 2020 have started preparing for the remaining pageant activities before the grand finals on October 25, which will be aired on GMA-7.
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