MANILA – Ariella Arida, the Philippines’ bet to the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, said she was touched when her father decided to use his retirement pay just so they can fly to Russia next month to watch her compete.
“Nabigla ako when they both told me na manonood sila sa Russia live with my sister. Nakaka-touch. My father is a retired teacher and dati sinasabi namin na 'yung pera niya sa retirement, we want to put up a business. Pero hindi nila ginawa tapos that money, 'yun ang gagamitin nila to fly to Russia,” Arida told Charlene Gonzales in an interview on “The Buzz” on Sunday.
Since her parents discouraged her to join beauty pageants when she was younger, Arida said their decision means a lot to her.
“I’m so happy na doon gagamitin ng father ko ang pera niya para makita nila ako live,” she said.
The Laguna beauty, meanwhile, assured Filipinos that she will do her best as she represents the country in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.
While she feels pressured because of the consecutive wins of the Philippines in various beauty pageants, Arida said she will just use this as her motivation to bring home the crown.
“From the start nandoon na ang pressure, nung time pa nila Venus (Raj), Shamcey (Supsup) and Janine (Tugonon). Nung ako 'yung nanalo, nandoon na ang pressure. Ngayon tine-take ko na lang na positive lahat. Gagawin ko na lang na inspiration, motivation,” she said.
With just a little over a month until the much anticipated competition in November, Arida is hoping her fellow Filipinos will rally behind her just like in the previous years with Raj, upsup and Tugonon -- who all finished in the Top 5.
She also asked Filipinos to vote for her online to secure a spot in the competition’s top 15.
Arida is set to fly to Moscow, Russia on October 21. The pageant will be held on November 9.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
