No longer competing for MPE2015, Angelia Gabrena Ong is.
When the photo of Angelia Ong (representing the City of Manila) suddenly disappeared from the roster of Miss Philippines Earth 2015 Official Candidates earlier in the week, many eyebrows were raised, especially her supporters. And it was only recently that she gathered her thoughts and detailed the reasons behind the removal.
My heart goes out to the girl, because the matter could have been positively settled without the need to put an end to her dreams of vying for the title.
Read on the explanation she gave in her Facebook page.
“Angelia Gabrena Ong
They say that life is made of choices and the decisions we make define our destiny. There will always be times in our lives that our faith, patience and the whole of our being will be tested. I can say that I have been triumphant in others and some I’m not sure if I failed but I’d rather call them challenges that I needed to go through to be the person that I am today. Sometimes, we need to choose our battles because losing a fight doesn’t necessarily mean that we won’t win the war.
I started the week with a heart willing to fight and reach my dreams one step at a time. I was ready to conquer the obstacles God has prepared for me but earlier this week, he got me a pretty hard situation where I had to choose between honoring my word or taking another step closer to my goal. I was caught between being a professional or being an obedient candidate.
Because the date was moved, it had a conflict with a prior commitment so I wasn’t able to attend the “Welcome Party” because I chose to honor my commitment in Isabela which was at least an 8 hour ride-one way making it physically impossible for me to do both.
With an hour and a half left before my bus leaves, they suggested that they will have someone to replace me instead. I appreciate it but I wish it was that easy… My clients were not happy of the bargain the pageant suggested and I understood why. That’s what go- sees and auditions are for… Backing out of the commitment on the spot is not a very professional thing to do. I’m pretty sure that the organizers wouldn’t want their candidate backing out an hour and a half before coronation night either. There was an urgency to the situation which the organizers left me a decision to make. Will I stay and continue the pageant or leave and it’s over. I went to the pageant’s main office to personally explain the situation hoping that they would understand where I’m coming from. Going in person didn’t change anything either…
The “welcome party” was scheduled at night but I found out that they already took me off first thing in the morning which explains why my picture was nowhere to be found in the online list which lost me all the possible votes I could’ve had. It would’ve been nice to see how the people will vote for me. We have made it before, we could’ve done better or more… I was still very hopeful that I could still make it back. The major events were scheduled next week anyway. There was still a chance that maybe… Just maybe they will welcome me back even though I dint make it to the “welcome party”. As ironic as it sounds, I kept my silence for the past days because I was hopeful.
At first, I got confused on how a “welcome party” would cost me my candidacy when I know that it’s not the main basis of choosing the winner. Had I known earlier that not going will cost me the chance to compete, it would’ve been a different story. I have asked for a reconsideration but I guess it wasn’t for me. I know that the major events and your advocacy will definitely weigh more but I also know that the pageant has their own reasons… And whatever reasons it may be, I respect them.
I chose to leave and fulfill my obligation in Isabela in respect of the pact I made with my clients that have been nothing but generous to me. Of course, I dint want to leave the competition, but if pursuing my dreams would include tarnishing my name, manager and her company, I don’t think I’ll be at peace with that. I don’t think I’ll be truly happy knowing that I stepped on other people for personal gain.
For the past few days, Ive been praying… I surrendered everything to God and asked for wisdom. I was asking questions, of why, why not, why me, why can’t I when I have done everything possible to make it. I don’t get how they can throw everything that easy when I have worked really hard just to get that far. I have reached to the point where I was depressed and thought that I was going crazy… When I finally let go and let God, I found peace… I found peace knowing that I know I have done the right thing in that situation. I know that I have done good.
In writing this letter, I’d like to let you know that I am at peace with my decision. I am thankful for the opportunity and the short time I have spent at the pageant. I have learned a lot with the experience as it opened my eyes on how we can take care and save this beautiful planet that we are in. I will be praying for their success as well as the remaining ladies.
To my family and loved ones, aside from God, you are my core… Thanks for being a solid foundation in my life. Thanks for putting up with me during the worst and the best times.
To my fellow Ilonggos, Manileños and all the people who believed and supported me especially to all my teachers in CSB who have been very patient with me… I owe you all an apology. I am sorry for not making it further. I hope that you all understand why I had to do what I had to do. In life we will encounter more situations like this but when you do, please know that there is a God that is bigger than our problems…that is bigger than us. He has helped me bounce back faster and stronger and so can you. I hope that in the next chapter, you’d all still have my back. My story is not yet over and I intend to still make you all a part of it…
Your thoughts, dear readers?
