Truth be told, we’ve all had better Christmas celebrations in the past. But this year, the one adjective that would make the observance special is #intimate.
No big gatherings, no lavish buffet spreads, no games, no noisy banterings and no flooding of gifts. Just pure, simple and heartfelt togetherness of lockdown companions or the closest of family members.
After all, an intimate Christmas will allow us to focus on the true Celebrant and not just our personal happiness.
#MerryChristmas, everyone! May the true spirit of the Holiday Season embrace our hearts so that we can give back tenfold of the love and let the pure joy of giving become a part of our lives.
Names are not specified anymore to protect their privacy. But you can easily spot the ones who are no longer present in Baguio City.
My only request is that we do not make too much noise about testing positive for COVID19 anymore. After all, the heartbreak has already doubled for the affected ones.
The Miss Universe Philippines Organization’s top priority continues to be the health and safety of all our candidates.
“We remain committed to ensuring that we follow all of the protocols and guidelines set forth by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
“We are grateful to the Baguio City government, especially to Mayor Benjamin Magalong, for allowing us to film the preliminary interview, national costume, swimsuit, evening gown, and grand finale that will crown the first Miss Universe Philippines at the Baguio Country Club on October 25, 2020.
“We have consistently coordinated with Baguio City officials to ensure that we follow their rigorous protocols in order to preserve its status as a COVID-free city.
“The Miss Universe Philippines Organization also made sure that we continue to provide care and support for all of our candidates as they go through their Miss Universe Philippines journey during this unprecedented time.
“We have chosen St. Luke’s Medical Center as our official health partner to conduct the swab testing for all of our candidates and provide the best care and treatment needed, should any of them become positive of COVID.
“While it is unfortunate and heartbreaking to see some of our candidates leave the competition, we thank them for being a part of the Miss Universe Philippines family.
“We salute their bravery and courage as they go through this difficult time and rest assured, we will continue to provide all of the help and support they need.”
“We strongly believe that this is not the end of their journey as they will soon emerge victorious to be able to pursue their dreams of becoming beauty queens.”
Maria Isabela Galeria makes the sad decision to leave the competition
#Repost @mariaisabelagaleria
・・・
Marhay na Adlaw tabi sa indo gabos♥️
As you may all know, I tested positive for COVID19.
I started to develop signs and symptoms on September 27, 2020, starting with nasal congestion and loss of sense of taste/smell. I occasionally feel like there’s something heavy on my chest. Fortunately, it’s bearable and didn’t progress to a more severe level of DOB (Difficulty of Breathing). I then started to manifest rashes accompanied by extreme itchiness and dry skin. I woke up last October 3 with red, itchy, and teary eyes. I was under a handful of medications for more than two weeks to manage my symptoms.
Following the 14-day quarantine, I was supposed to be released on October 8. As per protocol, I needed to be asymptomatic for three days before discharge. Unfortunately, I was still manifesting some symptoms.
Last October 11, DOH declared my dad and me as COVID SURVIVORS. Praise be to God!!
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.
With a heavy heart, I believe now is not the right time to join the pageant. I still feel tired, and I don’t think my body will allow me to participate in the activities of Miss Universe Philippines.
I hope you understand this is something beyond my control. I’ve thought hard and cried for so many nights about this. I have the willpower, but my body is not cooperating.
I’m praying for your utmost understanding.
I love you all!! Mahal na Mahal ko kamo!! 😭♥️
Salamatunon tabi sa gabos 🙏♥️
This is your Miss Universe Philippines SORSOGON 2020, Maria Isabela Galeria
Sharing with you the first batch of the Miss Earth 2020 Earth Talk Live Series with the selected candidates per region discussing about updates on COVID19 in their respective countries.
Sharing with you now the official shot (or portrait, if you will) of Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel with the crown. This was taken by Abnel Gonzalez Photography.
It certainly is a bummer that the pandemic crisis has left our beautiful Puerto Rican unable to frequently travel to different countries due to international flight restrictions. But I’m pretty sure she will have some travels lined up once everything gets settled with the new normal soon.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (L), and Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, hold hands as they wait for the judges’ final decision in the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant at The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wurtzbach was named the new Miss Universe after host Steve Harvey mistakenly named Gutierrez Arevalo the winner. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo (L), is crowned the new Miss Universe by Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega after host Steve Harvey mistakenly named Gutierrez Arevalo the winner instead of first runner-up during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant at The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, (not pictured) was eventually named the winner. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, reacts on the side of the stage after host Steve Harvey announced that he mistakenly named her the first runner-up instead of the new Miss Universe during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant at The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: A card showing the order of the top three finalists in the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant is shown on screen after host Steve Harvey mistakenly named Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, the winner instead of first runner-up at The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was eventually named as the winner. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: (L-R) Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, looks on as Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega removes her crown to give it to Miss Phillipines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, after it was announced that host Steve Harvey mistakenly named Gutierrez Arevalo the winner instead of Wurtzbach during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant at The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega (L) crowns Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the 2015 Miss Universe during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant at The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega (L) hugs Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, after host Steve Harvey mistakenly named Miss Colombia 2015, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo (not pictured), the new Miss Universe instead of Wurtzbach during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant at The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, who was mistakenly named as first runner-up, reacts as she is named the 2015 Miss Universe during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant at The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Everything has already been said and reported about Miss Universe 2015 and the Philippines’ third crown that was handed to Pia Wurtzbach in the most controversial way possible. Totally unprecedented. So let’s simply relive the beautiful memories of the telecast along with photos from the same.
Photo credit for all Miss Universe-related and homecoming events by Getty Images
Her first Press Conference as Miss Universe 2015.
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 20: Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, poses for photos after winning the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Her victorious homecoming in the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe 2016 Pia Wurtzbach waves to the crowd during her homecoming parade in Metro Manila on 25 January 2016. Wurtzbach’s victory was filled with controversy as host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner. (Photo by George Calvelo/NurPhoto) (Photo by NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
For the past weeks, Queen P kept herself busy with her charity project during ECQ and the COVID19 crisis by spearheading the distribution of safety masks to all frontliners – be it hospitals or basic service providers. And she did not stop in doing just a one-day mission. She kept on with it for days – while still looking radiant all throughout.
Queen P in action for the frontliners during the ongoing pandemic crisis
And so it has come to pass. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced this morning that the Enhanced Community Quarantine will continue until May 15 in eleven (11) high-risk areas while the rest of the country will be under General Community Quarantine under the following guidelines:
President Duterte declared Enhanced Community Quarantine, effective May 1-15, 2020 over the following high-risk areas:
1. Metro Manila
2. Central Luzon (Region III)
3. CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
4.Provinces of Panay Island (Aklan, Antique, Capiz & Iloilo)
5. Province of Cebu
6. Provinces of Davao Region (Region XI)
7. Pangasinan
8. Benguet
9. Mindoro Island
10. Albay
11. Catanduanes
All other areas, which are considered as moderate and low-risk, will be placed under General Community Quarantine for the same period. For areas placed under General Community Quarantine, the following guidelines will be observed (courtesy of GMA News):
– Workers and sectors in category I, II and III may continue to work or operate in phases;
– The general population may go out of their homes only for purposes of accessing basic necessities;
– In any case, those with ages below 21 years old and those 60 years old and above as well as those with ages ranging from 21 years olf but below 60 years old but who reside with co-morbidities or other risk factors shall stay home;
– Non-leisure stores in malls and shopping centers may partially open;
– Higher education institutions may continue classes to finish the academic year and issue credentials to students in accordance with guidelines as may be issued by the Commission on Higher Education;
– Priority and essential construction projects may resume in accordance with guidelines as may be issued by the DPWH;
– Public transportation may operate at a reduced capacity in accordance with guidelines as may be issued by the DOTr;
– Local government units shall enforce curfew at night for non-workers; and
– Airports and seaports may operate insofar as the unhampered movement of goods.
Since I live in Metro Manila, then more stay-at-home days and nights until the middle of next month.
Truthfully, it ain’t easy coming up with daily content. But I try my best all the time. I hope everyone appreciates the effort.
Miss Earth 2011 Olga Alava of Ecuador gave everyone an update on how she coped with the symptoms of #COVID19:
“Day 16 since the first symptom. And there are no more symptoms! I no longer drown and I have recovered my taste and smell, I feel good, THANK YOU! I thank God and ask for those who suffer from symptoms that can be treated in their homes and can take action on time. THANK YOU to all who sent their messages, giving advice and keeping me company virtually. I value it very much. Never lose faith that we can cope with this virus, let’s not let our guard down, support as we can and keep taking care of ourselves.”
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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Names are not specified anymore to protect their privacy. But you can easily spot the ones who are no longer present in Baguio City. 
Maria Isabela Galeria makes the sad decision to leave the competition
Sharing with you now the official shot (or portrait, if you will) of Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel with the crown. This was taken by Abnel Gonzalez Photography.
For the past weeks, Queen P kept herself busy with her charity project during ECQ and the COVID19 crisis by spearheading the distribution of safety masks to all frontliners – be it hospitals or basic service providers. And she did not stop in doing just a one-day mission. She kept on with it for days – while still looking radiant all throughout.
Miss Earth 2011 Olga Alava of Ecuador gave everyone an update on how she coped with the symptoms of #COVID19:
