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MANILA – It was in November 2019 that she entered a “depression of self-pity” after a disappointing performance in an international competition that led to her giving up her Binibining Pilipinas Grand International title.
But this Saturday, almost a year later, it is difficult to detect any trace of that dark episode in the life of Samantha Ashley Lo, as she appeared in the annual Century Tuna Superbods competition, completing her surprising change by winning it.
Lo, 27, was named the female grand winner in a pre-recorded final streamed online on Facebook, along with male grand winner Sam Ajdani, also a former contest champion.
They emerged from a pool of more than 20 finalists and each won P500,000, along with other prizes and perks, such as gym memberships and a year’s supply of food and health products.
During the question and answer session, Lo was asked if he saw social media as a positive or negative thing for today’s youth with regards to body image.
His response made her open about the blows she received. “They always told me that something always happened to me,” he said. She also told young people to love their bodies, and advised them to “be patient with yourselves” and “accept whatever flaws you have.”
He had to deal with criticism after his trip to Miss Grand International last year, marred by travel problems and allegations of wrongdoing. She finished outside the top 20 of the contest.
Last month, she spoke about the roller coaster of emotions she felt during that time, revealing that she fell into depression because of it.
Her dedication to bouncing back after that episode led her to join the Superbods contest.
This year’s Superbods initially had a theme that revolved around how everyone can have a “superbod” through proper diet and exercise. The organizers then changed it to promote a message of “stay strong” amid this COVID-19 pandemic, both in terms of physical well-being and mental health.
The final, pre-recorded and in which the contestants followed the health protocols against the coronavirus, was broadcast on Facebook.
It featured a panel of judges that included Alice Dixson, Isabelle Daza and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas, among others.
The first female finalist was Candice Ramos, 31, while the first male finalist was Erie Matic, 41.
The other names in the top 16 were:
Females:
Grace del Rosario (35)
Liz Kuczera (23)
Zai Ebido (30 years old)
Christine Picardal (27 years old)
Key Trajano (25)
Samantha Purvor (33 years old)
Males:
Jason Senga (39 years old)
Nelson Banzuela (29)
Enzo Bonoan (26)
Philippe Magalona (33 years old)
Jojo Urquico (57)
Alberto Lorenzo (31)
You can see the final in the following video:
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