Roberta Tamondong on pursuing a career in Thailand: “I have many fans in Thailand, to be honest.”

Ipinaliwanag ni Roberta Tamondong ang kanyang naging desisyong tanggapin ang pagiging 5th runner-up sa Miss Grand International 2022 limang araw matapos ang beauty pageant sa West Java, Indonesia, noong October 25, 2022.

Read: Roberta Tamondong announced 5th runner-up at Miss Grand International 2022

Maraming Filipino pageant fans ang nag-udyok sa kanyang huwag tanggapin ang puwesto nang umugong ang balitang siya ang ipapalit sa nag-resign na si Miss Grand Mauritius Yuvna Rinishta.

Parang pampalubag-loob lamang daw kasi ito ng Miss Grand International at ng owner nitong si Nawat Itsaragrisil kay Roberta, na crowd favorite sa pageant.

Ayon kay Roberta, hindi lang siya ang nagdesisyon nito kundi kasama ang kanyang pamilya, ang Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), at ang Aces & Queens.

Read: Roberta Tamondong officially accepts appointment as Miss Grand International 2022 5th runner-up

Kuwento niya sa PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa launching ng Miss Grand Philippines sa Hilton Hotel Manila kagabi, November 24, 2022, “At the end of the day, it’s still my decision and the decision of my family, and of course Binibini, and Aces and Queens.

“And whatever negative comments I’ve been having, at the end of the day, I’m happy, and I’m contented, and I’m just having fun.”

Mainit ang pagsalubong ng Thai pageant fans kay Roberta.

Binansagan na nga siya doong “Nong Ta” or Baby Roberta. Naging roommate kasi sila ni Miss Grand Thailand at 1st runner-up sa Miss Grand International 2022 na si Engfa Waraha sa Indonesia.

Saad niya tungkol sa Thailand, “It feels like a second home, to be honest.

“I’m flattered because I have a nickname now in Thailand, they called me ‘Nong Ta’ and I have many fans in Thailand, to be honest.

“And I’m just… I don’t know if I’m going to build my career in Thailand or not but I’m super excited… what awaits for me in Thailand.”

May nagsasabing mas sikat pa siya sa Thailand kaysa sa Pilipinas. So, dun ba siya magpo-focus pagdating sa kanyang karera?

Sagot ni Roberta, “Whatever works with me, if its God’s will, why not?”

May mensahe naman siya sa mga fans na hindi pa rin tanggap ang kanyang desisyong tanggapin ang alok ng Miss Grand International.

Sabi ni Roberta, “I think in the future, they will eventually open their hearts to the org. and of course to my decision as well.

“It might not be today, tomorrow or tonight, but in the future, I hope that they will know the reason why I accepted this decision.”

Kasalukuyang nasa bansa si Roberta para sa grand launch ng Miss Grand Philippines sa ilalim ng ALV Pageant Circle ni Arnold Vegafria.

Kasama niya ang iba pang winners na sina Miss Grand International 2022 Isabella Menin ng Brazil, 2nd runner-up na si Miss Indonesia Andina Julie, 3rd runner-up na si Miss Venezuela Luiseth Materán, at 4th runner-up na si Miss Czech Republic Mariana Becková.

Dumalo rin sa event ang apat pang 5th runners-up na sina sina Miss Grand Cambodia Pich Votey Saravody, Miss Grand Colombia Priscilla Londoño, Miss Grand Puerto Rico Oxana Rivera, at Miss Grand Spain Hirisley Jimenez.

PHOTO: Arniel Serato

Hindi nakasama si Engfa dahil abala ito sa kanyang nalalapit na concert sa Thailand.