Marian Rivera can’t help but express how honored she feels to be one of the judges in the upcoming Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Israel.
During a virtual media conference, the Kapuso star confirmed that she was invited to be a judge in the prestigious international beauty pageant, relating that she was handpicked by the Miss Universe Organization for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Para sa akin, malaking karangalan ito. Minsan lang siguro mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang isang tao ng ganitong kahalagang gagampanan sa isang mahalagang okasyon sa buong mundo. Kaya nung inoffer siya, buong puso ko siyang tinanggap,” said Marian.
Marian admitted that she was dumbfounded upon knowing that she was offered to become a part of the pageant’s official committee.
“‘Ako? Totoo ba ‘yan?’ Medyo may ganun ako. At the same time parang kinilig ako, na parang ‘wow!, halu-halong emotion. For me, malaking karangalan para sa akin at walang dahilan para hindi ko siya tanggapin kaya kailan tanggapin ko siya ng buong puso,” Marian shared her reaction to her judging stint.
While Marian was met with mixed reactions from some netizens who questioned her inclusion in the Miss Universe pageant happening on December 12 in Israel, she had this to say to some of the criticisms following news of her judging stint.
“Aaminin ko na hindi naman talaga English ang first language ko kung hindi Filipino. At kinuha nila ako dahil sa aking body of work bilang isang Pilipina,” she answered a media question.
She added, “Basta ang masasabi ko lang, kilala niyo naman ako. Hindi naman ako mapagpanggap, di ba? So, ie-express ko ang sarili ko na naaayon sa nararamdaman ko sa araw na ‘yan.”
The Kapuso Primetime Queen said that apart from being a judge, she is looking forward to witnessing the beauty and strength of women from across the globe.
“Siguro ’yung description na magja-judge ako, siguro ang pananaw ko du’n, nandu’n ako para i-appreciate ko at maging saksi sa mga kagandahan ng mga kababaihan sa buong mundo,”said Marian.
“At siguro, hindi lang ’yung kagandahan nila kundi ang katapangan din nila na maibalik ang humanity sa ating mundo sa kabila ng mga pinagdaanan natin. Alam mo ’yun, ’yung radical na pagbabago na ibinigay sa atin ng pandemya na ‘to. So mas ’yun ang nilu-look forward ko, ang makilala at makita silang lahat,” she added.
The confirmation came after a blind item by PEP stated that a popular Kapuso actress-mom will be one of the judges in Miss Universe.
Marian also hinted at her judging stint with a glam photo she shared on her Instagram last Wednesday, which she captioned “Honored” along with the hashtag grateful and crown and galaxy emojis.
The 37-year-old, who shared that she has at least eight luggages prepared for the pageant, is expected to wear a creation by Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran.
As for her decision to temporarily leave behind her kids for her judging stint in Israel, Marian said, “Isa yan sa pinakamahirap na gawin pero siguro balang araw maintindihan nila ang kahalagahan ng sakripisyong ito.”
