Samantha Lo begins rehearsals for Miss Grand International

Published October 21, 2019 3:00pm

Finally in Caracas, Venezuala, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Samantha Ashley Lo is getting ready to win another crown for the Philippines.

Based on her Instagram stories on Monday, the Filipina beauty queen was already at the pageant venue and has caught up with her fellow contestants at rehearsals.

"Rehearsal day for natcos (national costume competition) tomorrow! Are you guys excited?" Samantha said.

Instagram Stoies: Samantha Ashley Lo

Instagram Stories: Samantha Ashley Lo

Fans were worried Samantha would not be able to compete after what she said were a "traumatic" few days.

She had to fly back to Manila after being detained by immigration officials in Paris due to issues with her Philippine passport.

Thankfully, she arrived in Caracas over the weekend and announced that the Miss Grand International organization "welcomed her with open arms."

View this post on Instagram

I know people have been waiting to hear from me but this past week has been such a rollercoaster of stress and uncertainty that I felt it was unnecessary to involve the public. I chose to break my silence until I arrived in Venezuela because I wanted to make sure I got here safely. Despite what happened last week and the trauma that came with it, I have moved forward and pursued this journey knowing that I did not intentionally commit any of the acts that have been unfairly attributed to me. But yes, my local organizer, who handled my travel preparations, failed to equip me with the proper transit visa that may have enabled me to complete my earlier trip to this host country. Moreso, it wasn’t them who got me out of detention and put me safely on that plane to come back home. It was my family and other well-meaning Filipinos who did - and they are still not resting until this is over. And when this is all over, I hope to bring home the crown and glory to the Philippines and our people. It is not easy for me to do this - I still struggle with the fear and the trauma of recent days - but I know there is a bigger picture here and I will not let such fear silence me or deter me from the grand task ahead. I have come here not only as the candidate from the Philippines but as the voice of those who have faced similar situations like mine, the voice of those who have been abandoned of opportunity and pressured to remain silent. To Miss Grand International who has welcomed me with open arms, you are an amazing organization that has showed me nothing but compassion and humanity from the very beginning. Thank you for accepting me and giving me the opportunity to represent my country. Your Miss Grand International Philippines, Samantha Ashley Lo . . Designer @raus1983 MUA @theleiponce Hairstylist @iammjrone Accessories by @christophermunar Heels by @_jeffersonsi ???? @giomarasigan . . #missgrandinternationalphilippines #missgrandinternational #giveSAMLOve #forthephilippines

A post shared by Samantha Lo (@samantha_ashley_lo) on
Oct 19, 2019 at 8:52am PDT

"You are an amazing organization that has showed me nothing but compassion and humanity from the very beginning. Thank you for accepting me and giving me the opportunity to represent my country," she wrote.

Going for best swimsuit, Samantha reminded her supporters to vote for the Philippines on the Miss International Facebook Page.

View this post on Instagram

Time check 9:14PM, please don't forget to LIKE the official photo for Best in Swimsuit award on Miss Grand International's FB page and to those who already voted, thank you ?????? Good night ? . . . #missgrandinternational2019 #missgrandinternationalphilippines2019 #giveSAMLOve #forthephilippines

A post shared by Samantha Lo (@samantha_ashley_lo) on
Oct 19, 2019 at 6:20pm PDT

— Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News