Fil-Am Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel hopes to visit the Philippines in 2023

Fil-Am Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel revealed that she’s looking to visit the Philippines this year.

The beauty queen, who has been in the country “maybe five, or six, or seven times,” recalled in an interview with entertainment reporter Nelson Canlas that her last Manila visit was back in 2018. 

“I was able to go growing up every couple of years for summer time,” she shared. 

“I’m good to go back, I would love to go back. I’m hoping we can make it happen this year,” she continued.

Gabriel went on to talk more about being a Filipina as she expressed her love for ensaymada. 

“I love to introduce people to mamon or ensaymada, and I’m actually eating a lot of ensaymada. I ate seven on Saturday,” she said with a laugh. 

In January, Gabriel made history as the first Filipino-American to bag the highly coveted crown at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant. She was followed by Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel and Miss Dominican Republic Andreína Martínez as first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively. 

While she represented the USA, she expressed her pride for being a half-Filipina and thanked her Pinoy fans for their support after her win.

"Mabuhay Philippines, mabuhay Filipino fans! Maraming maraming salamat sa lahat ng tulong ninyo. The support is everything, I feel it in my heart, I heard it in the room. It was an amazing energy. The Filipino blood is so strong, we are hardworking, we are fun, and we are determined, and I am so proud to be a half-Filipina,” she said.