Mainit ang naging pagsalubong ng kanyang mga kababayan kay Miss Universe Curacao 2022 Gabriela Dos Santos sa homecoming niya kahapon, January 23, 2023.
Ikinatuwa ng mga kababayan ni Gabriela ang Top 5 finish niya sa Miss Universe 2022, ang pinakamataas na placement ng kanilang bansa mula pa noong 1968 kung saan nahirang ang kanilang kandidata na si Annemarie Braafheid bilang 1st runner-up.
Sa kanyang Instagram post ngayong araw, January 24, ipinakita ni Gabriela ang highlights ng motorcade niya sa kanilang bansa.
Kitang-kita ang kasiyahan sa mukha ng kanyang mga kababayan sa na-achieve niya sa Miss Universe.
Sabi ni Gabriela sa caption, “Yesterday was an experience like no other. I am so grateful for the incredible welcome home parade I received from my dushi Kòrsou.”
Ang “dushi Kòrsou” ay nickname ng kanilang bansa noon. Dati rin itong titulo ng kanilang national anthem pero ngayon ay nangangahulugan na itong “nice and beautiful” country.
Dagdag pa niya, “Words cannot describe how touched and honored I felt to see people from all walks of life, young and old, come together in unity to show me love.
“As a role model for younger generations, it’s important for me to continue this legacy of uniting us all as one people.”
Nagpasalamat din si Gabriela sa kanilang organisasyon at sa kanilang gobyerno sa tulong na ipinaabot sa kanyang laban.
“I am deeply appreciative of the Organization Curacao Beauty Pageant Committee and Curacao Tourist Board and the government for making this incredible moment possible.
“It’s moments like these that will remain forever etched in my memory, as it made me feel connected with every single person in attendance. The energy, excitement, and warmth of the people who gathered yesterday was truly unreal.
“I want to deeply thank each and everyone who took time to show up yesterday—it really means the world to me. #missuniversecuracao #misscuracao #top5 #grateful #curacao #mistimabukorsou”
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Si Gabriela ay umingay sa timpalak matapos ang kanyang performance sa preliminary competition.
Masuwerte siyang nakapasok sa Top 16 at Top 5 noong finals night noong January 15, 2023 sa New Orleans Morial Convention Center sa New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.
Read: Full transcript of Miss Universe 2022 Top 5 Q&A portion
Pero hindi na siya nakapasok sa Top 3.
Ang kandidata ng USA, ang Filipino-American na si R’Bonney Gabriel, ang hinirang na Miss Universe 2022.