Tila isinisisi ni Miss Universe Organization (MUO) President Raul Rocha ang umano’y weak passport ni Miss Universe 4th runner-up Olivia Yace ng Cote d’Ivoire kung kaya’t hindi nito nasungkit ang Miss Universe 2025 crown.
Sa isang video na ibinahagi ng The Philippine Pageantry sa kanilang social media post noong Martes, Nobyembre 25, sinabi niyang 175 na mga bansa ang humihingi ng visa sa Cote d’Ivoire para lamang makapasok dito.
“For those who say Cote d'Ivoire, why she didn't win... There are many things that are evaluated. Cote d'Ivoire needs [to] go to Google...everyone has a cellphone and look for how many countries Cote d'Ivoire needs [a] visa for in order to enter? 175!” saad ni Rocha.
Ayon pa kay Rocha, kung sakaling manalo si Olivia bilang Miss Universe 2025, mananatili lamang daw ito nang isang buong taon sa isang apartment.
“What?! 175! The job is for one year of Miss Universe. 175 countries ask for [a] visa for Côte d'Ivoire,” dagdag pa niya. Well, then she is going to be Miss Universe who spend a whole year in an apartment,” aniya.
“Of course, we want it to be Universe! The one with the most travel and the most contact with the people in the world!” pagtatapos niya.
Kaugnay dito, bumanat naman ang kapuwa beauty queen ni Olivia na si Miss Guadeloupe Ophely Mezino hinggil sa mga pahayag na ito ni Rocha.
“Are you trying to find a racist excuse for the fact that you didn't choose someone who was highly qualified for this job? Do you even read our biographies when we submit all the visa information? My girl has an American passport! What are you talking about?” saad ni Ophely sa kaniyang Instagram story noong Martes, Nobyembre 25.
“My heart is burning, I don't like injustice!” giit pa niya.
Photo courtesy: ophelymezinioofff/IG
Matatandaang nagbitiw si Olivia Yace ng Cote d’Ivoire bilang Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, patunay umano ng pagiging tapat niya sa kaniyang pagpapahalaga at mga prinsipyo.
“As the representative of Côte d’Ivoire at the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Bangkok, I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity. But to continue on this path, I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity the strongest pillars that guide me,” saad ni Olivia sa kanyang social media post.
KAUGNAY NA BALITA: Olivia Yace, suportado ng pageant fans sa pagbitiw bilang Miss Universe Africa and Oceania-Balita
Vincent Gutierrez/BALITA
