Miss Universe Philippines-Kananga's fans and supporters faced an early heartbreak after Natasha Jung, the municipality's official representative to the Miss Universe Philippines competition, announced that she is no longer vying for the crown, Tuesday, February 21.
Speculations first started after she was not included in the official headshot post of the official candidates on the Miss Universe Philippines page on the same day.
Hours later, she confirmed that she backed out from the competition through a post across her social media accounts.
"I, Natasha Ellema Jung, announce[s] today my withdrawal from participating in the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines 2024 as an official representative of the Municipality of Kananga [d]ue to personal reasons," her caption reads.
Fans and supporters were left in awe after her confirmation as she was first seen attending the press presentation and was introduced as one of the 55 official candidates last February 18, Sunday at Hilton Manila.
However, Jung clarified that it was due to personal reasons that she backed out from the competition as various speculations about her reason for withdrawal also started to emerge afterward.
"As of the moment, I would like to prioritize my personal growth and commitments, and not to further involve the organization on the matter," she shared in the same post.
Further, the official Miss Universe Philippines-Kananga, the accredited partner of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant for the municipality, extended their support to Jung's decision through an official statement.
"The MUPH-Kananga is able, willing, and fully prepared to send our representative, Natasha Ellema Jung, Miss Universe Philippines-Kananga 2024 to the Miss Universe Philippines competition. However, due to personal issues faced by Ms. Jung, the organization has decided to respect her choice to withdraw from the said competition," their official statement reads.
The 20-year-old Waraynon was first crowned as the first-ever inaugural representative of the Miss Universe Philippines-Kananga to the nationals after besting 20 candidates during the coronation night of the said competition last December 11.
The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition moves forward with 54 official candidates with Tamara Ocier and Angel Campo Tamal representing Tacloban and Leyte as the remaining representatives of the region in the competition's finals later this year.
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