Sorsogon City’s Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) candidate Maria Isabela Galeria has announced her withdrawal from the pageant after her battle with COVID-19.
She made her announcement on her Instagram page on Thursday, October 15.
“As you may all know, I tested positive for COVID-19,” she started.
The 21-year-old model said while her symptoms were all bearable and didn’t progress to anything severe, she developed rashes with extreme itchiness and dry skin.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Maria Isabela Galeria (@mariaisabelagaleria) on
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!! 
She was supposed to be cleared from the illness by October 8 but she was still showing symptoms. On October 11, the Sorsogon beauty and her father were declared as COVID-19 survivors.
Isabela, however, announced that it is not the right time to continue on with the competition as her body is still recuperating.
“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 revealed.
“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,” she added.
In the Instagram post where she announced she tested positive for COVID-19, Isabela apologized to those she was in close contact with when she was in Manila.
Recently, the MUP announced it will be filming the preliminary interview, national costume, swimsuit and evening gown, and the coronation night in Baguio City.
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