By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
Miss Universe candidates were all smiles even if they were stranded in Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte due to inclement weather brought about by storm Urduja which made a landfall in Eastern Samar last Saturday.
On Instagram, Miss Universe Canada Lauren Howe said: “Although having three flights cancelled in Siargao due to a typhoon isn’t fun, someone recently said “even if things are going wrong, you can’t help but find reasons to smile here in the Philippines” (smiles aside, I pray everyone stays safe in this weather – this photo was during a break in the storm). Trying again tomorrow friends.”
Miss Universe Philippines Rachel Peters also said on IG: “A few minutes of calm spent at @dedon_island today. We’ve been stranded on Siargao for 4 days due to the typhoon and cancelled flights.. I guess there are worse places to be stuck though.”
Miss Universe Malaysia Samantha James said: “So happy to be stranded on Siargao Island (due to typhoon) Whoop tee doooooo.”
As of Dec. 16, ABS CBN reported that some 13,000 people have been stranded in various ports nationwide because of bad weather brought about by the storm.
The three Miss Universe candidates were part of the group that came to Manila for a four-day tour of the country.
But the visit of Miss Malaysia and Miss Canada were extended after they were invited by Peters to visit Siargao. Miss Universe USA Kara McCullough also joined their trip to the province but she did not stay long.
“See you later Philippines. Thank you Miss Philippines @rachelpetersx for sharing your home and coffee shop @bakesiargao on the beautiful Island of Siargao,” said McCullough on Instagram.
Reigning Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa and Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere of France also joined the holiday tour in Batanes, Bohol and Camiguin Island.