Malacañang thanked Gazini Ganados for representing the country well in the 68th Miss Universe competition in Atlanta despite failing to make it to the Top 10.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said even if she failed to earn a back-to-back win for the Philippines, Ganados was able to make the nation proud by competing against 90 candidates around the world.
“Ms. Ganados has given pride and glory to the Filipino nation by showcasing the unique beauty and talent of the Filipina,” Panelo said in a statement on Monday.
Panelo was hopeful that her experience would contribute to her career growth.
“Her experience in joining the prestigious beauty pageant should add further to her development as a beauty queen,” he added.
The Palace official, meanwhile, wished Ganados all the best in her future endeavors.
In her 15-second speech given to the Top 20 semifinalists, Ganados pushed for her advocacy on elderly care.
“The world is aging and my grandparents raised me and I’ve worked in an organization that was supporting elderly care. I learned then, I realized that there’s this stigma between ageism, poverty, exclusivity, and invisibility,” Ganados said.
“It is rightful for us that they are the ones who paved the way for us and we should reciprocate that love and no one should be left behind,” she added.
Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi was named the winner followed by Miss Puerto Rico Madison Anderson and Miss Mexico Sofía Aragón.
Earlier in the pageant, host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced Ganados as the winner of the Best National Costume special award instead of Miss Malaysia Shweta Sekhon.
Harvey made the mixup because a photo of Ganados was also mistakenly flashed in the teleprompter as the winner.
The real winner, Sekhon, corrected him: “It’s not Philippines, it’s Malaysia.”
During the Miss Universe pageant in 2015, Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez as the winner, only to correct himself by saying it was Miss Philippines’ Pia Wurtzbach who would take home the crown.
Filipina beauty queens who previously won the Miss Universe pageant include Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margarita Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969). (PNA)
