Hannah Arnold. Image: Instagram/@arnoldhan_
Miss International candidate Hannah Arnold admitted she was upset over the cancellation of the said beauty pageant this year, but she remains grateful for the extra time to grow and focus on her advocacy.
The International Cultural Association (ICA), which handles the Miss International pageants, announced through its Instagram page last Tuesday, Aug. 31, that it will be postponing its 60th edition, supposed to be held in Tokyo. It cited safety concerns brought by the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the postponement.
Arnold was supposed to represent the Philippines this year, after winning the crown in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant last July. She represented Masbate in the local pageant, where she advocated for free speech.
“I have to admit that yesterday I was upset and in shock with the news of the 2021 edition of Miss International being [canceled],” Arnold said on her Instagram page yesterday, Sept.1. She also showed photos of herself holding up an umbrella in the rain.
After discussing the situation with her loved ones, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) and her fellow beauty queens, Arnold realized that the cancelation was “in the best interest of the [organization] to keep us safe at this time.”
Arnold also assured the public that while she will not be competing this year, she will use her reign “to grow more, focus on my advocacy work and [pursue] the goal of ‘cheering all women.'”
The Miss International pageant has been postponed for two years now. The ICA previously canceled last year’s competition, also due to the ongoing pandemic. The 60th Miss International beauty pageant is now scheduled for 2022. JB
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