MANILA, Philippines - Out of the thousands who messaged Miss Bulgaria Violina Ancheva, single mother Isay Gallano’s daughter Zyra Nicole was selected by the foreign beauty queen to receive her pageant gown. But how exactly was she able to get the two-piece gown for daughter?
In her interview with ABS-CBN News, Gallano recalled the moment she learned about Ancheva’s offer.
According to Gallano, she immediately contacted the 21-year-old Miss Universe candidate after reading her post on Facebook.
"Hinanap ko siya sa Facebook tapos nakita ko 'yung post niya tapos nag-chat ako agad sa kanya sa Messenger," Gallano said.
Ancheva then asked for Gallano’s number after confirming that the latter is from Manila. The single mom was then contacted by Ancheva’s team and was informed that she will receive the gown but will not be able to meet the Bulgarian stunner due to time constraints.
This prompted Gallano to leave work early in order to meet Ancheva at her hotel.
"Nagkita kami, ibinigay niya sa akin in person 'yung gown. Natutulala ako that time, hindi ko alam sasabihin ko,” Gallano recounted.
Shortly after the 65th Miss Universe coronation on Monday, January 30, Ancheva offered to donate the blue gown she wore during the competition to one lucky girl who couldn’t afford a prom dress.
On Facebook, she wrote: “I want to give the dress to a girl in need that can't buy a dress for her prom the next month. Please write to me a personal message for details.”
Ancheva’s post quickly became viral amassing over 28,000 shares and more than 174,000 reactions. Thousands of netizens tried their luck to have the Sherri Hill gown.
On Tuesday, January 31, Gallano revealed that her 15-year-old daughter was the recipient of the highly-coveted gown. In her social media account, Gallano posted photos of her daughter wearing the gown.
"Thank you so much Miss Bulgaria. You have a beautiful heart. We wish you all the best. God bless you and your family," Gallano wrote in the caption of her post.
As of this writing, Ancheva has not yet disclosed why and how she selected the recipient of her gown.
--Mini, The Summit Express
In her interview with ABS-CBN News, Gallano recalled the moment she learned about Ancheva’s offer.
According to Gallano, she immediately contacted the 21-year-old Miss Universe candidate after reading her post on Facebook.
"Hinanap ko siya sa Facebook tapos nakita ko 'yung post niya tapos nag-chat ako agad sa kanya sa Messenger," Gallano said.
Ancheva then asked for Gallano’s number after confirming that the latter is from Manila. The single mom was then contacted by Ancheva’s team and was informed that she will receive the gown but will not be able to meet the Bulgarian stunner due to time constraints.
This prompted Gallano to leave work early in order to meet Ancheva at her hotel.
"Nagkita kami, ibinigay niya sa akin in person 'yung gown. Natutulala ako that time, hindi ko alam sasabihin ko,” Gallano recounted.
Shortly after the 65th Miss Universe coronation on Monday, January 30, Ancheva offered to donate the blue gown she wore during the competition to one lucky girl who couldn’t afford a prom dress.
On Facebook, she wrote: “I want to give the dress to a girl in need that can't buy a dress for her prom the next month. Please write to me a personal message for details.”
Ancheva’s post quickly became viral amassing over 28,000 shares and more than 174,000 reactions. Thousands of netizens tried their luck to have the Sherri Hill gown.
On Tuesday, January 31, Gallano revealed that her 15-year-old daughter was the recipient of the highly-coveted gown. In her social media account, Gallano posted photos of her daughter wearing the gown.
"Thank you so much Miss Bulgaria. You have a beautiful heart. We wish you all the best. God bless you and your family," Gallano wrote in the caption of her post.
As of this writing, Ancheva has not yet disclosed why and how she selected the recipient of her gown.
--Mini, The Summit Express
