Miss Universe Philippines 2021 delegate contracts dengue, bows out of competition

A beauty queen vying for this year's Miss Universe Philippines crown had to end her journey early after contracting dengue.

Joanna Marie Rabe of Zambales announced her withdrawal from the competition on Instagram, Monday.

"With great sadness, I would like to inform you that my Miss Universe Philippines journey has been cut short," she said.

"I got dengue fever earlier this week and my doctors [advised] that I would need more time to recover my strength," she added.

The beauty queen thanked her friends, family and supporters for supporting her journey so far.

She also expressed hope to see everyone in "a bigger stage and much brighter circumstances in future."

Joanna Rabe was among the Final 30 delegates set to move on to the next round of Miss Universe Philippines 2021.

Another delegate, Gianne Asuncion of Cagayan, bowed out of the competition last month after testing positive for COVID-19. She made the cut for the Top 50.

—Margaret Claire Layug/MGP, GMA News