Marian Rivera flying to Israel to judge Miss Universe 2021 on Dec 5—report
Beatrice Luigi Gomez may not be the only Filipina we'll be seeing in the 70th Miss Universe pageant. Numerous reports claim that GMA-7 actress Marian Rivera will be one of the judges in Miss Universe 2021, happening in Eliat, Israel on Sunday, Dec. 12 (Monday, Dec. 13, Philippine time).
Buzz about Rivera's rumored Miss Universe participation started when entertainment news PEP.ph released a blind item last week, saying a GMA-7 actress-mother will be a judge in the pageant.
Rivera is yet to confirm the reports. But on Wednesday, Dec. 1, the 37-year-old actress posted a photo on her Instagram page that seems to be a hint regarding the rumored judging stint.
The caption for her Instagram photo, taken by Mark Nicdao, reads: "Honored."
And if you didn't catch it: check the emojis she used. Her husband, actor Dingdong Dantes, replied to the post with an equally intriguing comment. "Miss u," he said. Of course, it could either mean he's saying "I miss you" or "Miss U," as in Miss Universe.
The Miss Universe Organization usually announces the judges of the pageant's coronation night days before the actual event.
According to Jun Lalin of the tabloid Balita, Marian will leave for Israel on Sunday, Dec 5. Of course, we'll see if this is true in the coming days.
If it is true, Rivera won't be the first Filipino to serve as a judge in a Miss Universe pageant. Pia Wurtzbach served as one of the panel of judges in the 66th Miss Universe in 2017. Broadway star Lea Salonga also served as a judge in 2012. - (Chuck Smith)