IT'S OFFICIAL: Marian Rivera is one of the judges in Miss Universe 2021
Make way for the queen! After fueling speculations among fans, Marian Rivera is confirmed to be one of the judges at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant.
Rivera confirmed her judging stint on GMA 7’s 24 Oras on Friday, Dec. 3, admitting that she couldn’t believe that she was chosen to be a judge for the pageant.
The news comes after entertainment news site PEP.ph released a blind item last week, stating a Kapuso actress-mother will be a judge in the pageant. Rivera also posted a cryptic Instagram post on Wednesday, Dec. 1 that hints to her judging stint. The caption for her photo, taken by Mark Nicdao, was captioned, “Honored.”
“Sobrang happy ako kasi minsan siguro mabigyan ng pagkakatano na mapabilang sa mahalagang okasyon sa mundo. Kaya nung inoffer siya, buong puso ko siya tinanggap,” Rivera said.
The Kapuso star revealed that her judging stint is an opportunity to support and empower women. “Ang pananaw ko sa pag-judge ay ma-appreciate at masaksihan ko ang kagandahan ng mga kababaihan sa buong mundo… pati na rin ang kanilang katapangan para ibalik ang humanity sa mundo.”
Rivera also said she will be wearing a Francis Libiran creation in the pageant.
In a separate report by Jun Lalin of the tabloid Abante, Rivera is set to leave for Israel on Sunday, Dec. 5. However, the actress and the Miss Universe Organization have yet to confirm the details of her flight.
Following the confirmation, Rivera will be the next Filipino to be a Miss Universe judge after Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Broadway star Lea Salonga, Kuh Ledesma, and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, to name a few.