Kapamilya actor Marco Gumabao congratulated his sister, Michele Gumabao, despite her defeat in the recently concluded Miss Universe Philippines pageant.
Michele was named as the 2nd runner up in the pageant and was given the Miss MG Philippines special award during the preliminaries.
Marco posted on his Instagram story saying that he is proud of his sister. He also wrote that he didn’t agree with the result of the competition but mentioned that there are still many opportunities coming for his sister.
“Proud of you! Of course, I don’t agree with the decision, but now’s not the time to be bitter about it. I know this is God’s plan. We’re just getting started,” Marco wrote.
Netizens speculated that the 26-year-old actor’s post was related to Michele’s post. Michele made the headlines after she supposedly ‘walked-out’ of the pageant held in Baguio when she was nowhere to be seen in the event photos with winner Rabiya Mateo and the other finalists.
In her statement through her agency Aces and Queens, she said thanked her fans dubbed the “Michelin stars” and said that she is grateful for their support in her pageant journey.
“To all my Michelin stars, thank you for being with me on this journey! I love each and everyone of you! Thank you for all your support! Til the very end Laban!” she said.
Michele also mentioned that she left Baguio Country Club (BCC) while the pageant was still ongoing because she already knew who the winner would be.
She said that she decided to leave because she couldn’t handle the people asking her questions and those giving her hugs, seemingly consoling her.
“I left this morning sa BCC while the pageant was ongoing. I knew who won last night pa I tried to go to our viewing party but everyone kept asking what happened all the hugs all the looks I couldn’t handle that,” said Michele.
The three-time PVL Best Opposite Spiker also said that she had no issues accepting her defeat but she just wanted to make a statement regarding her side of the story.
“I can handle defeat hahahaha I can’t handle the people asking me why why why…I’m sharing this with you because you deserve to know my side, we don’t need to defend to anyone. I did my very best and I have no regrets,” she said.
On Sunday, October 25, Rabiya Mateo from Iloilo City was announced as the winner of the Miss Universe Philippines beauty pageant. Besting 45 other candidates representing cities and provinces nationwide, Mateo will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant.
Michele Gumabao was the co-captain of the De La Salle University women’s volleyball team, the Lady Spikers during the years 2012-2013.
She entered pageantry in 2018 when she joined Binibining Pilipinas and was crowned as the Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018.