Image: Facebook/@MariaIsabelaGaleriaOfficial
Sorsogon beauty queen Maria Isabela Galeria has backed out of the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 pageant after recovering from COVID-19.
Galeria announced her decision on her Instagram page yesterday, Oct. 15. She also recalled her experience with the disease caused by the coronavirus.
She began developing symptoms of COVID-19 on Sept. 27, starting with nasal congestion and the loss of her senses of taste and smell.
“I occasionally felt like there was something heavy on my chest,” she explained. “Fortunately, it was bearable and didn’t progress to a more severe level of DOB (difficulty of breathing).”
However, she later began to develop rashes, extreme itchiness and dry skin. Galeria also woke up with red, itchy and teary eyes on Oct. 3.
She then took a “handful of medications” for more than two weeks to manage the disease’s symptoms. After observing a 14-day quarantine, she was set to be released on Oct. 8.
“As per protocol, I needed to be asymptomatic for three days before discharge,” she said. “Unfortunately, I was still manifesting some symptoms.”
Following her struggle with the disease, the Department of Health finally declared Galeria and her father as COVID-19 survivors. Though she has already tested negative for the virus, she believes that her body is still not prepared to participate in the competition.
“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,” Galeria said.
“With a heavy heart, I believe now is not the right time to join the pageant,” the beauty queen expressed. “I still feel tired, and I don’t think my body will allow me to participate in the activities of Miss Universe Philippines.”
She also asked for her supporters’ understanding, adding that the situation is “something beyond [her] control.”
“I’ve thought hard and cried for so many nights about this,” she stated. “have the willpower, but my body is not cooperating.”
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 will hold its coronation ceremonies on Oct. 25. The pageant’s winner will represent the country in the Miss Universe 2020. /ra
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