R’bonney Gabriel with her parents. Image: Instagram/@rbonneynola
Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel gave away food packs and school supplies to children in Barangay 743, Malate, Manila, where her father resided.
The Filipino-American beauty queen documented her visit and spoke about her experience through her Instagram page on Tuesday, May 16.
“To have the opportunity to come back to my father’s home street and celebrate with the community makes my heart so happy,” she said in the caption. “We were able to hand out meals and provide school supplies for all the children. I loved seeing familiar faces.”
Gabriel then looked back at her childhood days when she also lived in the area, recounting the warmth and kindness of their neighbors.
“I spent many summer days playing on this street as a child. From walking to buy pandesal (bread) in the morning, playing in the rain when it flooded, watching the fiesta parade, and sweating in the heat playing tongits on the plastic tables,” she stated. “This street showed me how different my life was in America and taught me how to be grateful for everything I have.”
“To be able to visit again after everything and give back to a place so close to my heart is one of the biggest blessings of Miss Universe,” she added.
Gabriel also described her visit as “one of the best days” of her life, noting how “community and family is everything.”
Fans then expressed their admiration for Gabriel for being an inspiration and for “acknowledging her Filipino roots.”
Image: Instagram/@rbonneynola
Image: Instagram/@rbonneynola
Image: Instagram/@rbonneynola
Gabriel earlier flew to the Philippines for her special appearance at the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 coronation night last May 13. The Miss Universe 2022 titleholder has already left the country and is currently in Thailand. /ra