Cagayan de Oro beauty bows out of Ms Universe PH due to COVID-19

Published October 18, 2020, 10:46 AM

by Philippine News Agency

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PNA) – A candidate of the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 from this city has dropped out of the beauty pageant, disclosing in a Facebook post on Friday evening that she contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Official photo of Vincy Vacalares, representing Cagayan de Oro City, for the Miss Universe Philippines competition. (Photo courtesy of Miss Universe Philippines via PNA / MANILA BULLETIN)

“With a heavy heart, allow me to break the news to all of you that I tested positive for COVID-19 past October 14. This means that I will not be able to continue with my journey to the Miss Universe Philippines crown this year,” 23-year-old Vincy Vacalares said.

Vacalares said she and her team did their best to strictly follow all the health and safety protocols, “but still the virus hit me”.

“To those that I had close contact with, please inform the City Health Office so they can also check on your state (health status). I pray that you are safe from the virus,” Vacalares said.

Vacalares, however, did not offer details on how, when, and where she got infected with COVID-19.

She said she is now confined in a hospital in Metro Manila, and assured her family, friends, and supporters that she was “in good hands”.

“I sincerely apologize for what happened. Please be always on the lookout for your health and safety,” she added.

A graduate of Technology Communication Management from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in 2017, Vacalares is now a high school teacher at a private school.

Not new to beauty contests, Vacalares was crowned third runner-up in the Ms. Cagayan de Oro 2019 pageant. She also won both titles in the Ms. El Salvador City and Ms. Camiguin in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/18/cagayan-de-oro-beauty-bows-out-of-ms-universe-ph-due-to-covid-19/