Samantha Panlilio gears up for Miss Grand International 2021, but she needs our help
Miss Grand Philippines 2021 Samantha Alexandra Panlilio has departed for Thailand last night. She will vie to win the country’s first Miss Grand International crown.
Binibining Pilipinas —the local franchise owner for the pageant —shared in an Instagram post a video message from Samantha a few moments before her flight expressing her gratitude for the opportunity she’s been given.
With the recent success of her co-Binibini Queens Cindy Obeñita and Maureen Montagne, as well as following up on the strong performance of Samantha Bernardo in the last edition, the pressure is on for the 25-year-old beauty queen.
Unfortunately, her journey was met with doubts. Not because of her capabilities but because of the sudden change of heart of the Filipino fans towards MGI.
And here’s why.
Caught in crossfire
To provide some context, the tension between philippine pageant fans and MGI particularly with its president, Nawat Itsaragrisil has been building up for years now.
The country would somehow find itself under the pageant owner’s bad graces leading to a heated retaliation online. From the pageant itself uploading ‘shady posts’ on Instagram to the fans attacking MGI for its “fake advocacy”.
The list can definitely go on and it gets much worse every year.
Case in point was with Miss Grand Philippines 2020 Samantha Bernardo. Despite emerging as the top favorite to win, Samantha came close to the crown finishing 1st runner-up.
Fans took to social media to express their dismay because of this by lambasting Nawat and MGI inciting that they’re just using the Philippines for clout and that they would never crown a Filipina.
Looks like the patience Filipinos had for MGI have already run out and this could be fatal for Samantha or any future Filipina representatives for the pageant.
Discouraged yet Determined
Already aware of the situation, in an interview during her send-off last Friday, November 12, Samantha admits being hurt for not receiving the full support from the fans but she reminded them as to why they needed to support her.
“I want to remind everyone that even with other pageants, it took us years to clinch the first crown, and so I think that to be a Filipino means that you’re palaban so we have to fight this all the way until we clinch that crown.”
It’s tough, but Samantha has been working very hard in her preparations, and being the most passionate fans of beauty pageants, we wouldn’t want to invalidate that, wouldn’t we?
Philippines, here’s how you can vote
Every year, MGI would always have pre-arrival votings from which the 5 ladies receiving the highest points will get the chance to have dinner with the MGI executives.
As of writing, Samantha is in 4th place, but we can’t be complacent right?
You can help her secure a spot by liking & sharing her photo. Just visit the pinned post on MGI’s official Facebook page.
Voting lasts until November 16 with the finals on December 4. Best of luck to you, Sam!
