Gazini Ganados prays for her father, residents caught in the Gaza-Israel conflict
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Showbiz News
The beauty queen, who represented the Philippines in Miss Universe 2019, is half-Filipino, half-Palestinian.
Beauty queen Gazini Ganados recently shared screenshots of her video call with her father, who is based in Gaza.
Gazini, who represented the Philippines at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant, is of Filipino and Palestinian descent.
Tensions are high between Gaza and Israel as of late resulting in airstrikes that killed and injured mostly Palestinian residents including children.
As of today, May 21, both parties have agreed to a ceasefire, momentarily putting a stop to the deadly conflict that dragged on for 11 days.
Photo by: gazinii (IG)
In her Instagram Stories, Gazini gave the public a glimpse of how life is for those residing in the Palestinian territory.
“My Papa showing me what 7 p.m. looks like in Gaza,” wrote Gazini.
“I can only imagine the trauma my brothers and sisters are going through and hope for them to still remain kind and hopeful in this cruel situation. Praying for everyone's safety.”
She added, “Give your loved ones a hug, a kiss, and show them how much you truly love and care before it's too late.”
In a 2019 interview for Arab News, Gazini opened up about her desire to know more about her father and her Palestinian roots.
“I'd love to meet him. I have no grudges because that won't bring me anywhere. But instead, I'll just thank him, and know that he's still alive,” Gazini, whose parents separated when she was an infant, told reporter Baker Atyani.
“I'd be happy to know his side [of the family] and if I have a grandfather or a grandmother. Or maybe I have a stepsister or a brother. I've always wanted to have more family since all my life I've grown up alone.
She continued, “My mother named me after him … My name is Gazini, which is from his name Gazan [from Ghassan]; Christiana because my mom is a devout Catholic; Jordi because she told me it means flowing water, and I'm assuming it's like the Jordan River.”
Gazini eventually met her father in Cebu a few months before the pandemic. She posted a picture of them while in a pizza restaurant and proudly shared it on Instagram.
Photo by: gazinii (IG)
“Ever since I was a little girl, I have always heard the stories of how my mom and dad first met. The year 1990. Now, here I am, 30 years later. The year 2020. Having my very first dinner date with my dad,” she mused.
