“I Have Moved Forward”—Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2019 Samantha Ashley Lo Breaks Her Silence

When Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2019 Samantha Ashley Lo was mysteriously absent from pre-pageant activities in Venezuela, people began wondering why. Last Friday, she was reported to have been held at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris for allegedly carrying a fake passport. It caused a stir among her fans and pageant enthusiasts, and on October 19, the 26-year-old Cebuana took to Instagram to address the controversy. 

“I know people have been waiting to hear from me,” she started, “But this past week has been such a rollercoaster of stress and uncertainty that I felt it was unnecessary to involve the public.”

Writing from Venezuela, Samantha explained that her ‘local organizer,’ who “handled [her] travel preparations failed to equip [her] with the proper transit visa that may have enabled me to complete [her] earlier trip to this host country.”

“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,” she said.

“Moreso, it wasn’t them who got me out of detention and put me safely on that plane to come back home,” she added, confirming that she was indeed deported. “It was my family and other well-meaning Filipinos who did - and they are still not resting until this is over.”

Samantha also said that she still hopes to bring home the crown and glory to the Philippines and its people.

Yesterday morning, Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. has released an official statement on the issue, saying that the Department of Foreign Affairs has officially stated that Samantha’s Philippine passport had been “tampered with and altered,” as her passport had been obtained through a fixer, her parents admitted. 

The organization defended itself, saying that upon hearing of Samantha’s situation in Paris, they “immediately called upon the DFA to assist her.” 

Samantha is set to represent the Philippines in Caracas, Venezuela at the Miss Grand International pageant on Friday, October 25, 2019.