Now if you thought Julia Saubier would join Miss Universe Philippines or Bb. Pilipinas this year, think again.

Straight from the Kung-Fu Goddess herself:

“Last year before BBP, I was living in the mountains of rural China. Training in kung-fu for 8 hours a day, and remotely doing research and writing for my master’s thesis.

I joined BBP as an obscure, private person with no previous experience in modeling or pageantry (and a dislocated shoulder) ✌🏽

I ran on my fire 🔥🔥—an intense self-belief in the quality and integrity of my ideas and capacity to do good.

(And of course the love and support of my family, closest friends, and Saubier soldiers).

I went from this random candidate to dark horse to frontrunner. But the competition didn’t work out as I had hoped for or planned.

I’ve been reading the outpour of support—all your messages and comments telling me you believe in me and want me to join again.

They’re humbling and heartwarming, thank you.

I’ve decided that I will not be joining this year to instead pursue other creative and social impact work. And to continue to invest time in training and building skills which will allow me to continue to get opportunities in the kinds of film and creative projects I want to do.

I hope you can continue to support me in my chosen path. Let’s all support and be kind to all the women who are competing this year 🙏🏽 (no more fake troll accounts pls). It takes a lot of guts and energy to go through what is a really grueling and exacting 3-month journey.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Mahal ko kayong lahat!”

#juliasaubier