Top Model of the World-Philippines 2014 Janicel Lubina won't be going to Egypt after all (Photo credit: FabPhilippines)
The competition is already in full swing by now.
And Top Model of the World Philippines 2014 Janicel Lubina won’t be competing in El Ghouna, Red Sea, Egypt for Top Model of the World 2014.
After a hyped send-off – parts of which were even shown on the news – it appears that someone may have failed to do their designated homeworks on time. No need to point fingers at anyone in particular, but the organizers of the local competition (the same people behind the Slimmers World Miss Bikini Philippines) should shoulder a good chunk of the blame for not foreseeing the complexities of applying for a travel visa to Egypt. It is possible that whoever was in-charge of securing the required stamp on the passport thought that everything will be smooth-sailing based on the established reason for travel to El Ghouna.
But as further details unfurled, it seems that the scenario is more multi-layered. And as of the latest update, there is now a credible kidnapping threat on our representative due to “escalating violence” in the host country and allegedly, the Philippines’ connection to the USA. A travel ban was issued by the DFA – together with the Egyptian Embassy – to avoid unnecessary incidents that could be life-threatening to our candidate. While some other quarters claim that the ban has long been lifted, Janicel was still denied issuance of a visa. Tsk Tsk Tsk.
Everything is now late. The pre-final competition proper has already started in the host city and any attempts to send a candidate will only be futile.
I sympathize with Janicel. The girl was in high spirits prior to everything that has transpired these past few days.
Could something have been done differently to avoid the above from happening? Or as the supporters of our supposed bet claim, some sort of a ‘sabotage’ was planned to prevent her from going to Egypt? Pre-arrival hype on Miss Philippines was already going strong until this.
This blog is open to an official statement, more updates and clarifications from those who can shed light on the whole controversy.
