Michele Gumabao replies to body shamers

By Jose Patao Jr - August 21, 2020

PROFESSIONAL volleyball player turned beauty queen Mlchele Gumabao, 27, opened up recently about being criticized for her built.

Gumabao, who is currently a candidate for Miss Universe Philippines 2020, took to Instagram to body-shamers who have been commenting that she’s “too big” or “too muscular” to join a pageant.

“My legs are too big they say, honestly they really are,” Michele replied on her Instagram post, wearing a red bikini that emphasized her curves.

“Instead of being insecure about it, which is a constant battle of choice, I just remind myself that these legs got me through years of intense volleyball, allowed me to jump, play and win,” Gumabao continued.

“They’ll never understand that these muscles are only made for champions.”

Michele is currently one of the 51 candidates for the first Miss Universe Philippines Pageant that has dissociated with Binibining Pilipinas earlier this year. Binibining Pilipinas held the franchise for 56 years, from 1964 to 2019.

She also joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2018, her first bid at a national beauty title. Standing 5’10” and already quite popular as a sports show host, she was among the strong favorites that year along with Catriona Gray who was crowned as Miss Universe Philippines, and eventually Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok.

Michele settled for the Binibining Pilipinas Globe title and went on to become a Miss Globe top 15 finalist and winner of two special awards: Miss Social Media and Dream Girl.

Representing Quezon City, she is one of the frontrunners of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 (now conducting preliminary activities online) along with Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol, Ysabella Ysmael of Parañaque, Alyssa Malinao of Davao City and Maria Isabela Galeria of Sorsogon.

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Meanwhile, Mutya ng Pilipinas Inc. headed by Cory Quirino has cancelled its pageant for 2020 and instead, will focus on supporting our frontliners and communities in need during this pandemic.

Here’s the full statement: “Due to the uncertainties brought about by the current COVID-19 pandemic and the damage it has wrought upon the economy, locally and internationally, as well as to ensure the health and safety of our community, the Board of Directors of Mutya Ng Pilipinas, Inc. (MNPI) headed by Chairman Fred Yuson and President Cory Quirino has decided to cancel its 2020 calendar of activities;

“In lieu of the 2020 Mutya Pilipinas Pageant, the organization will instead focus on humanitarian efforts in support of our frontliners and communities in need, particularly the street children. We will, however, fulfill existing obligations towards alliances with the international beauty pageant titles we represent;

“Should these international pageants proceed with a virtual pageant in 2020, MNPI will be sending one of its beauty queens to represent the Philippines;

“Our organization strongly adheres to its true purpose which is to serve as the platform from which the Filipino beauty queen will shine and to mold her as an authentic symbol of hope and strength to others;

https://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news_entertainment/michele-gumabao-replies-to-body-shamers/