MANILA -- Ariella Arida admitted she was apprehensive about meeting some candidates in Miss Universe, as she arrived in host country Russia amid a controversy surrounding her allegedly offensive comment about Latinas in the pageant.
The 24-year-old Laguna-born beauty arrived home Tuesday afternoon after finishing 3rd runner-up in the 62nd Miss Universe pageant, where Venezuela's Gabriela Isler was crowned winner.
During a press conference shortly after her arrival in the Philippines, Arida was asked to relate how she interacted with the Latinas in Miss Universe in light of her earlier comment on their English-speaking skills.
Before leaving for Russia early this month, Arida mentioned how Latina contestants in international pageants have difficulty "completing a sentence in English."
The comment was brought up by radio personality Mo Twister, and was subsequently defended by Arida's peers in the local pageant scene. Arida herself apologized for the comment later on.
When asked Tuesday who among her fellow contestants she formed close relationships with, Arida said, laughing, "Actually close ko si Panama (Carolina Brid), si Spain (Patricia Rodríguez) and Venezuela."
Arida was then asked if any issue surfaced between her and the group of Latinas in Miss Universe. Explaining she was nervous about meeting them in Moscow, Arida said she was relieved her apprehensions were unfounded.
"Ako, actually, nag-reach out ako ta's parang ewan ako, nag-e-explain ako, hindi nila alam kung ano 'yung sinasabi ko. Parang ganun," she said.
"So wala po, sobrang... Pagpunta ko do'n, sobrang concerned nga ako baka mamaya galit sila sa akin. Syempre, hindi nila alam kung ano 'yung real story, pero wala, pagpunta ko po doon, ang healthy ng environment," Arida added.
The beauty queen was also happy to share that she became close with Brazil's Jakelyne Oliveira, who earlier had to deny being behind a Twitter account criticizing Arida for her Latina remark.
"Si Miss Brazil, close din kami, kasi nga... Actually ako 'yung lumapit sa kanya because of the Twitter thing. Siya din nag-explain sa akin na hindi totoo 'yon, na wala siyang Twitter and all. Sobrang close po, sobrang healthy ng environment," Arida said.
Interestingly, Arida was the only non-Latina in the top 5 contestants of Miss Universe. Placing runners-up to Isler, in order, were Rodríguez, Ecuador's Constanza Báez, Arida, and Oliveira.
With her 3rd runner-up finish, Arida replicated the success of Shamcey Supsup, the Philippines' candidate in the 2011 pageant. Janine Tugonon and Venus Raj finished 1st runner-up in 2012 and 4th runner-up in 2010, respectively.
The Philippines is still hoping to produce its third Miss Universe winner after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
