Miss Universe Philippines Batanes bet Jan Alexis Elcano said had to ride a cargo vessel just to make it to the parent held in Baguio City.
The beauty queen shared during her preliminary Q&A streamed on Empire.ph last night that her flight was canceled after Batanes recorded its first-ever case of COVID-19.
“I was actually frightened because there was no other way out of the province than air transportation,” Elcano said.
With permission from the Coast Guard and the local government’s assistance, the Elcano could board a cargo vessel and made it to Baguio City.
“It’s not really allowed for a passenger to board a cargo vessel for security and safety purposes, but that was the only choice I had, and it was a risk that I was willing to take,” Elcano told the panel.
“I was actually scared of deep waters, but I had to disregard all fears just so I can get here to where I am right now, standing in front of all of you,” she added.
The beauty queen said she did it to represent Batanes and embody the resilience that Ivatans are known for.
“We rarely get to represent Batanes in the national pageant scene, and I would like to promote not just Batanes as a place, but the Ivatans,” Elcano said.
Jan Alexis Elcano is among more than 40 candidates vying for the title of Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
Also read: Batanes reports first COVID-19 case
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 opens fan vote via Lazada
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 opened its Fan Vote function through the e-commerce site Lazada Philippines.
Lazada’s top vote-getter will automatically be included in the Top 16. If the top vote-getter is already in the Top 15 of her performance during the prelims, the 16th candidate will either be the second top-vote getter from the app or the 16th candidate during the prelim based on her performance.
Voting begins on October 15 and ends on October 22, 2020.
Lazada will not air the coronation night of Miss Universe Philippines 2020. It would be shown on October 25 on GMA 7.