The hashtag “#MissUniversePhilippines” and “#GaziniGanado5” trended on Twitter as Filipinos express their support and well-wishes to the country’s bet in the most prestigious beauty pageant as she flies to the United States for the competition.
Gazini Ganados, a 23-year-old Filipino-Palestinian beauty from Cebu, will represent the country in the contest to be held in Atlanta, Georgia on December 9 (Manila time).
Reports say she flew with Miss Universe Singapore Mohana Prabha, who underwent training with pageant coach Jonas Gaffud.
Binibining Pilipinas, the national beauty pageant that deploys the Philippines’ candidates to major international competitions, also wished her well on the microblogging platform.
Filipinos are hoping for a “back-to-back” win following Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s success.
Observers say that if Ganados secures the crown, it will be the second back-to-back win in the pageant’s nearly 70-year history. As of now, Venezuela is the only country that has the distinction of having two titleholders, from 2008 and 2009.
It will also be the fifth Miss Universe win for the Philippines.
Ganados previously said that she would perfect her pageant walk which she called the “Phoenix Walk” before her departure in the Philippines.
She said that she would practice the walk with her gown designed by Cary Santiago, the same person responsible for her hot pink gown at Binibining Pilipinas that had a design resembling wings in the upper part of the body.
Ganados won the Binibining Pilipinas pageant last June and was crowned by none other than reigning Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
She is a Tourism graduate from the University of San Jose-Recoletos who campaigns for the elderly and improving their quality of life. Ganados said her advocacy was inspired by her grandparents whom she grew up with.
Prior to joining Miss Universe, the five-foot beauty won the title of Miss Cesafi in 2016 and Miss Bohol 2017 as first runner-up. She also participated in Miss World Philippines 2014.