Miss Grand International PH Samantha Lo is now in Venezuela

After Miss Globe 2019, Philippines is set to compete again for Miss Grand International title with PH bet Samantha Lo at Caracas, Venezuela.

Pre-pageant activities already started in Venezuela when fans noticed Lo’s absence.  Lo said that she wanted to remain silent until she arrived in Caracas safely because the local organizer was not able to equip her with proper transit visa that should’ve enabled her to complete an earlier trip to the host country.

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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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Your Miss Grand International Philippines, Samantha Ashley Lo . . Designer @raus1983 MUA @theleiponce Hairstylist @iammjrone Accessories by @christophermunar Heels by @_jeffersonsi ? @giomarasigan . . #missgrandinternationalphilippines #missgrandinternational #giveSAMLOve #forthephilippines

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

“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,” she said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed they received reports saying “[Lo] was unable to continue her journey to Caracas due to alleged issues with her passport.”

“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 said.

Despite the unfortunate events, she aims to bring home the crown and she expressed her gratitude to Miss Grand International for welcoming her.

“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.”