On November 28, rumors about Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera flying to Israel to be one of the judges of Miss Universe 2021 surfaced online.
Some believed Rivera would be flying to Eilat, Israel, with her glam team, days before the coronation night on December 12.
On her Instagram post, the actress seemed to have addressed the rumors with a photo and captioned it with “Honored” with a crown emoji, a galaxy emoji, and hashtag #grateful.
However, Rivera has yet to provide more details.
View this post on Instagram
However, these rumors started a frenzy of reactions on social media, with most feeling excited with the possibility of a Filipina actress judging a prestigious, world-class pageant like Miss Universe.
Netizens expressed their support on the possibility that Rivera would hold a seat at the judges’ table during the coronation night.
Koronahan na yan! 👑 #MarianRivera pic.twitter.com/dh9WnkaHeq
— Tea Party (@itsteaparty) December 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/iamlabs_/status/1465949391076790273?s=20
Marian Rivera, galingan mo ang pag judge sa Miss Universe ah! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH
— pancake🥞🎀 (@ruzeruuuu) November 29, 2021
Sabi-sabi na magiging part si Marian Rivera ng selection committee ng Miss Universe this December!!! ang fuuun
— Luis (@luithcrewthe) November 28, 2021
Totoo ba ito ? Wow Kaka excite naman Marian Rivera to Miss Universe 2021 https://t.co/QhUwTdFd3h
— mayJ (@MainE03Jp) November 27, 2021
True ba ang rumors na magju-judge sa Miss Universe si Marian Rivera?😳
— C, RPh🦋 (@K_amillosan) November 27, 2021
HOY TRUE BA TALAGA NA JUDGE SI MARIAN RIVERA SA MISS UNIVERSE!!!!?
— P (@impatrickmedina) November 27, 2021
Others have written their wishes of seeing Rivera alongside Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot as judges in the beauty competition.
https://twitter.com/GanadosKlara/status/1464467717952458759
Some netizens also jested that Miss Universe 2021 should use Rivera’s single Sabay-sabay Tayo as the opening number.
https://twitter.com/ARxxx94/status/1464960814750703617
Hahahahaha bet pang opening number yung sabay sabay tayo ni marian rivera sa miss universe 😂
— 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙝 (@dyosaephrabor) November 27, 2021
Like Catriona Gray, Rivera is an ambassador of Smile Train.
It is the largest cleft-focused organization with a model of true sustainability — providing training, funding, and resources to empower local medical professionals in 70+ countries to provide 100%-free cleft surgery and other forms of essential cleft care in their communities.
She was first introduced to the organization when she visited San Fernandino Hospital to celebrate its 30,000th cleft surgery in the Philippines.
Back then, her former boyfriend and now-husband Dingdong Dantes joined her and also became a supporter.
As for the Philippines’ bet for the pageant, Beatrice Luigi Gomez will be competing for the crown on December 12. She will try to bring the fifth crown for the Philippines.
Additional texts by Jude Cartalaba.
