Trigger Warning: Violence, murder, kidnapping
Umiyak ang mga kapwa kandidata at nabagabag ang damdamin ng mga opisyal ng Miss World Organization nang marinig nila ang testimonya ni Miss World Ethiopia 2026 Ruth Yirgalem Weldesilasie, 25, sa Head-to-Head Challenge ng Miss World 2026.
Ikinuwento ni Ruth na kinidnap at pinatay kanyang nakatatandang kapatid na babae, si Kidusan, sa Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, noong July 2026, ilang araw bago siya pumunta sa Vietnam para sa 73rd Miss World.
Gaganapin ang grand coronation ng Miss World 2026 sa Setyembre 5.
Hindi napigilan ni Ruth ang pagpatak ng luha nang isiniwalat nitong mismong best friend niya umano ang pumatay kay Kidusan.
Humingi raw ang best friend ni Ruth ng ransom na 2.5 million Ethiopian birr (halos isang milyon sa Philippine peso) kapalit ng buhay at kalayaan ng kanyang kapatid.
Si Kidusan, na isang fashion brand owner, ang gumawa ng hikaw na gamit ni Ruth sa Miss World 2026.
Ayon sa Ethiopian beauty queen, sinabi ng kanyang kapatid na gusto nitong sorpresahin siya.
”That day, she left home to surprise me but never came back.
“Nine days of tears, prayers… I got the baddest news in my life.
"The sister I cared for years… she got killed by my best friend of ten years.
“My sister’s remains were found in two suitcases.
"She was the person I cared for my whole life. I always cherished her like a child. I feel betrayed,” lumuluhang pahayag ni Ruth.
Kahit nagluluksa dahil sa trahedyang nangyari sa kanilang pamilya, pinili ni Ruth na ituloy ang pagpunta sa Vietnam bilang opisyal na kandidata ng Ethiopia sa 73rd Miss World.
Saad niya: “I made a promise to the women and children that I’ll advocate for them.
"I cannot break that so I packed my bags because I decided to turn my pain into a purpose in life.”
@nuesta.belleza.tailandia Just a week before traveling to Vietnam to compete in Miss World 2026, Miss World Ethiopia tragically lost her sister, who was kidnapped, held for ransom, and ultimately murdered—her body found stuffed inside a suitcase. Heartbroken and carrying immense grief, she still had to press on and travel to join the pageant. #missworld #missworldethiopia ? Dandelions (Violin) - Dramatica
May community project si Ruth na The Silent Struggle na tumutulong sa mga kababaihan at kabataang biktima ng pang-aabuso.
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NEWS REPORT ABOUT THE KIDNAPPING AND MURDER OF MISS ETHIOPIA'S SISTER
Naglabas ng ulat ang Zehabesha, isa sa mga news outlet sa Ethiopia, noong huling linggo ng Hulyo 2026 tungkol sa pagkidnap at pagpatay sa kapatid ni Ruth.
Ibinahagi ng Zehabesha ang opisyal na pahayag ng Miss World Ethiopia Organization tungkol sa pasya ni Ruth na ituloy ang pagsali sa 73rd Miss World.
Nakasaad dito: "Love for your country is one of the greatest burdens you can choose to carry.
"The organization expressed profound admiration for her courageous decision to proudly represent her country while navigating such deep grief and a truly heartbreaking time.
“The committee proudly confirmed that as Ruth moves forward, she will be carrying not only the hopes of the nation but also the enduring love and memory of her sister.
“Responding to the massive outpouring of public support, Ruth highlighted that her refusal to give up has always been her greatest strength.
"Sharing her emotional state, she wrote: 'No matter what happened this week or how hard life tried to stop me, I refuse to lower my head. I will continue to be the person my sister always believed I could be. If she were here today, she would want me to follow my dreams.'"
Si Ruth ang isa sa mga kalaban ng kandidata ng Pilipinas na si Asia Rose Simpson sa Miss World 2026.
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