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Samantha Lo makes it to Caracas for Miss Grand International pageant
Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Ashley Lo finally arrived in Caracas, Venezuela to compete in the Miss Grand International pageant.
In a post on Instagram on Saturday (PHL time), Samantha said she held off commenting on the passport mess she got into until she arrived in Venezuela.
"I know people have been waiting to hear from me but this past week has been such a rollercoaster of stress and uncertainty that I felt it was unnecessary to involve the public," Samantha said.
"I chose to break my silence until I arrived in Venezuela because I wanted to make sure I got here safely," she wrote.
"Despite what happened last week and the trauma that came with it, I have moved forward and pursued this journey knowing that I did not intentionally commit any of the acts that have been unfairly attributed to me," Samantha added.
The beauty queen was reportedly held and deported by French authorities in France for not having an official passport record at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
She was on her way to Venezuela via Paris to represent the Philippines at the Miss Grand International pageant, but was held for questioning by French immigration for allegedly carrying a fake passport.
Samantha however said on Instagram that the local organizer failed to ensure she got the proper transit visa.
"my local organizer, who handled my travel preparations, failed to equip me with the proper transit visa that may have enabled me to complete my earlier trip to this host country," she said.
Samantha also said it was not her local organizer but her family "and other well-meaning Filipinos" who got her out of detention and put her on a plane back home.
"Moreso, it wasn’t them who got me out of detention and put me safely on that plane to come back home. It was my family and other well-meaning Filipinos who did - and they are still not resting until this is over," she said.
Despite all the stress, the beauty queen chooses to look forward and hopes to bring home the crown.
"And when this is all over, I hope to bring home the crown and glory to the Philippines and our people. It is not easy for me to do this - I still struggle with the fear and the trauma of recent days - but I know there is a bigger picture here and I will not let such fear silence me or deter me from the grand task ahead," she wrote.
"I have come here not only as the candidate from the Philippines but as the voice of those who have faced similar situations like mine, the voice of those who have been abandoned of opportunity and pressured to remain silent," Samantha added.
She then thanked the Miss Grand International organization for welcoming her with open arms.
"To Miss Grand International who has welcomed me with open arms, you are an amazing organization that has showed me nothing but compassion and humanity from the very beginning. Thank you for accepting me and giving me the opportunity to represent my country," she wrote, ending it with "Your Miss Grand International Philippines, Samantha Ashley Lo."
Miss Universe Catriona Gray quickly encouraged Samantha and wrote in the comments section: "Slay them Kweeeeeeeen [emoji] such an inspiration rise above all! And represent our country with pride!"
Samantha also posted a photo of her taken at the Intercontinental Tamanaco Caracas with the caption: "And it's official."
She then posted on Instagram Story photos and a video of her with fellow candidates Miss Venezuela and Miss Thailand.
—KG, GMA News
