Sorsogon representative withdraws from Miss Universe Philippines after recovering from COVID-19

Maria Isabela Galeria, Sorsogon's representative for Miss Universe Philippines, has backed out from the competition.

The beauty queen took to Instagram to announce that she is no longer competing as her body is still recovering from COVID-19.

"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," she posted on Instagram.

Maria Isabela continued, "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," she added.

The beauty queen asked for understanding as what transpired is already something beyond her control. 

"I've thought hard and cried for so many nights about this. I have the willpower, but my body is not cooperating," she stated.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 felt like there was something heavy on my chest. Fortunately, it was 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

A post shared by Maria Isabela Galeria (@mariaisabelagaleria) on Oct 15, 2020 at 2:45am PDT

It was in September when Maria Isabela revealed that she contracted COVID-19.

"I started to develop signs and symptoms on September 27, 2020, starting with nasal congestion and loss of sense of taste/smell. I occasionally felt like there was something heavy on my chest. Fortunately, it was bearable and didn't progress to a more severe level of DOB (difficulty of breathing)," she said recalling the day she started experiencing the symptoms. 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Escape the ordinary 🖤

A post shared by Maria Isabela Galeria (@mariaisabelagaleria) on Sep 20, 2020 at 2:56am PDT

"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," she added.

It was on October 11 when Maria Isabela and her father were declared to be COVID-free.

READ: Miss Universe Philippines, mapapanood sa KTX.Ph

"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!" she shared.