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A post shared by Michele Gumabao (@gumabaomichele) on Feb 17, 2020 at 12:20am PST

MANILA – Michele Gumabao is back on the pageant scene as one of the candidates of Miss Universe Philippines 2020.

The volleyball star, who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Globe in 2018, is determined to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe this year.

“My dream for now is to be Miss Universe, to win Miss Universe,” she said in an interview with the entertainment website Pep.

“It feels better the second time around, but I do admit it still gets me nervous,” she continued. “I still feel I’m new at it, but [I’m] really just excited about everything that’s gonna happen.”

Back in 2018, Gumabao had a refreshing reason for joining Binibining Pilipinas, the former holder of the Miss Universe franchise in the country.

While many beauty queens would typically say they want to use their crown as a platform for their advocacies, the Creamline Cool Smashers player said she only wants to add another feather to her cap.

This time around, Gumabao believes that it was destiny that brought her back to the pageant stage.

“For me, it’s really destiny. It’s really God’s will for me. I had a lot of signs that I waited for, and asked for, and I prayed for, and it all happened. Everything is really aligning, everything is falling into place,” she said.

“A lot of people put in their support, their words of encouragement and faith in me,” she continued. “That’s what really inspired me to go one more time.”

“So I’m just gonna work hard and give my best shot.”

The Miss Universe Philippines 2020 pageant will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in May 3.