IN PHOTOS: Samantha Lo’s Miss Grand International 2019 journey

MANILA, Philippines – Samantha Lo failed to make it to the Top 20 finalists of Miss Grand International 2019, despite being touted as one of the candidates to watch out for.

Samantha fought to the end, even after she failed to show up in the first week of activities in Venezuela due to problems with her passport.

Here’s a recap of Samantha’s journey in the pageant.

Send-off

On October 2, Samantha and Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2019 Leren Bautista was given a send-off party by the Bb Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI). Samantha was aware of the issues surrounding the hosting of Miss Grand International in Venezuela, but she said that she would do her best to fight for the crown. 

Off to Venezuela

On October 9, hours before Samantha was set to leave for Venezuela, reports came out that fire hit the Tamanaco Intercontinental Hotel, the official hotel of the candidates. Samantha later issued a statement, calling out some fans for spreading fake news.

The hotel confirmed that there was a minor incident due to an electrical inconvenience which resulted in smoke but was immediately solved.

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A todos nuestros usuarios, les agrademos por su preocupación y atención✨ . #ictamanaco __________________ ENGLISH VERSION . Dear all, On behalf of the Tamanaco InterContinental Hotel we wanted to thank you for your concern regarding to the situation carried out this October 8th by the morning. . We would like to informed you that, due to minor daily maintenance routines made at the hotel rooftop, an electric inconvenience was caused and generated the smoke that was perceived near to the property. This situation was immediately solved neither causing any damage to any employee or third party involved in this, nor the property. . Once again, thank you so much for be cared and interest for our welfare.

A post shared by Tamanaco InterContinental (@ictamanaco) on Oct 8, 2019 at 3:41pm PDT

Before she left, Samantha posted a photo fo her holding the Philippine flag with the caption: “Fast forward 3 months: The Samantha here is the product of all the love, support, and nurturing done by amazing people who constantly told her “Yes you can, and you will.” See you soon Venezuela.”

 

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A post shared by Samantha Lo (@samantha_ashley_lo) on Oct 8, 2019 at 9:25pm PDT

 

Missing in action

Fans started to get worried when Samantha was not seen at the opening ceremony of the pageant. Reports later surfaced that she was detained in Paris, France, due to passport issues and was deported to the Philippines.

When asked about what happened, Bb Pilipinas said it would issue a statement about Samantha’s situation. All it could say then was that she was safe.

The Department of Foreign Affairs later issued a statement that it did not have any passport record of Samantha in its database.

Finally in Venezuela

After keeping quiet for one week, Samantha finally spoke up, posting a long message about what happened to her. According to Samantha, she had issues with her travel documents.

“I chose to break my silence until I arrived in Venezuela because I wanted to make sure I got here safely. 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. But yes, 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. 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.

 

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A post shared by Samantha Lo (@samantha_ashley_lo) on Oct 19, 2019 at 8:52am PDT

Samantha later appeared in photos of the pageant.

 

Bb Pilipinas later issued a statement, saying that Samantha indeed was held up in Paris on her way to Venezuela. It was also confirmed that Samantha’s passport was coursed through a “fixer,” as her parents relayed to the DFA and the organization during a meeting.

Amid the issue, past and current Bb Pilipinas queens led by reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray rallied behind her.

Preliminary and national costume

Samantha remained focused as she competed in the preliminary and national costume competitions. For her national costume, she wore a Tausug-inspired costume by Edwin Uy. It was the same costume she wore in Bb Pilipinas with some tweaks. Samantha said that the original costume did not make it in time as her luggage was still in Paris when the event was held.

 

Among candidates, she was among those who had the highest number of likes on social media for the swimsuit and evening gown photos. For her preliminary gown, she wore a gold beaded fringed gown by Ryan Ablaza Uson. For the swimsuit competition, she wore a two-piece yellow swimsuit.

 

It was also during the preliminary competition that the name of her walk was revealed – the “Maria Clara” walk, conceptualized by Carlos “Caloy” Buendia Jr, the man responsible for Catriona Gray’s “lava” walk.

Finals night

Samantha went onstage with the high energy of the Venezuelans around her.

Venezuela’s Lourdes Valentina Figuera won the title, the first for the country.

Despite the challenges, Samantha showed what a fighter she was. Congratulations for representing the Philippines. — Rappler.com