MUP candidate Sandra Lemonon hints at spilling pageant's 'tea' soon
Two months after Rabiya Mateo was crowned Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) 2020, MUP Taguig representative Sandra Lemonon is still up brewing "tea" that she said she will spill soon.
In her Instagram Stories uploaded earlier today, Dec. 17, the 25-year-old beauty queen asked her followers to ask her anything online. One follower was quick to take the opportunity and asked, “What’s the tea about MUP?”
The “tea” that her follower is referring to is the gossip or information that Sandra previously said she would reveal after Rabiya was hailed the winner of the pageant.
Sandra wrote, “It’s brewing [tears of joy emoji] charot. But in all seriousness, I decided to stay silent for now in order to ‘keep the peace’ and for there be no hot tempers as my intention is pure, as my purpose in speaking up is to improve the pageant community by being transparent and honest.”
She added, “All I will share is my truth from a perspective of a candidate of MUPH 2020, who has experienced all three orgs (Miss World, Binibining Pilipinas, and Miss Universe Philippines) and who has witnessed things that weren’t aligned with my beliefs and morals.”
“In summary, you will be hearing from me soon,” Sandra concluded.
But the Filipino-French beauty queen continued to intrigue her fans when another Instagram user asked, “Will you join MUP again?”
“Sana yes,” the netizen added. “Rooting for you forevs. I know your heart Mama Lemonada.”
Sandra replied, “Aweee… thank you so much, love. I am so happy to heart that. I appreciate you, but no, love, not until there is more transparency from the pageant industry.”
Despite the controversies, Sandra clarified that she’s now back in her zone and would always remain grounded on her “values and beliefs.”
“I am doing much better. I am back to my center,” she wrote in another Instagram Story. “Many trials this year, but for sure, it has helped me grow into a better person. I am happy that no matter, whatever situation I am in, I always stay true to myself, values, and beliefs.”
Sandra ranked among the top 16 of MUP 2020. She stirred up the online community when she shared a series of cryptic posts on Instagram after MUP’s grand finale aired online on Oct. 25.
It began with one that said, "The truth always comes out. It's just about timing. Karma is real. Tea time soon because we deserve justice.”
It was followed by another one with a cup of tea and the caption, “Get your tea. Accepting defeat graciously is one of many mark of being a queen. But what you forgot to say is that REAL queens play FAIR and don't CHEAT.”
Sandra also said she is gathering all her strength "to speak up and share the truth." She said she wants to do this to help the ladies in the coming batches so that they won't experience what the contestants this year went through.
Netizens assumed that her posts alluded to MUP 2020 grand winner Rabiya Mateo, who was rumored to have known the question to the competition’s final Q&A portion even before it was asked. She was also accused of bringing her own glam team although it was strictly prohibited by the organizers.
Rabiya, on the other hand, denied the accusations, assuring her fans that she played “right and fair.”
"As much as I want people to love me, 'di naman kasi lahat magugustuhan ako," the Filipina-Indian beauty queen said in an interview with GMA’s 24 Oras."So ngayon, it's a test of character, a test of faith. Pero alam ko kasi na I played the game right and fair."
Banner image from Dookie Ducay/Sandra Lemonon on Instagram.
