Michele Gumabao lands in Top 15 of Miss Globe 2018

By CNN Philippines staff

Updated 14:28 PM PHT Mon, October 22, 2018

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 22) — Volleyball star-turned-beauty queen Michele Gumabao finished as one of the top 15 finalists in Miss Globe 2018 during the pageant's coronation night Sunday (Monday in Manila) in Albania.

Gumabao, in her first international beauty pageant stint, also landed two special awards: Miss Social Media and Miss Dream Girl of the World.

China's Yu Yizhou meanwhile took home this year's Miss Globe crown.

During the competition, Gumabao donned a sarimanok-inspired gown for the national costume portion.

The former De La Salle University standout, in an Instagram post, said she will continue a different kind of fight. This time around, she'll go back to her roots— volleyball.

"I've learned a lot being here for 2 weeks! Ive always known that in life there are wins and there are losses, but God knows what's best for us," Gumabao wrote on her social media page Monday.

"At the end of the day, it is what it is… I'm coming home!!! Volleyball naman ang labanan (volleyball is our next battle)."

Gumabao, a former UAAP Finals MVP, suited up for various semi-professional club teams following her stint in La Salle. She last saw action for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League.

Some netizens meanwhile blasted the pageant protocol, saying the judging rules were "too lax."

http://cnnphilippines.com/lifestyle/2018/10/22/Michele-Gumabao-top-15-miss-globe.html