The formal announcement was posted Monday night, August 23, on the Facebook page of Miss Universe PH Cagayan Province.
"We regret to inform our supporters that Miss Cagayan Province 2021 will no longer participate in the 2nd edition of Miss Universe Philippines," the post wrote.
"The MUPh Organization has decided to no longer allow our delegate, Miss Gi Asuncion, to continue owing to her hospitalization due to COVID-19. This heartbreaking decision was reached by them considering the stress the pageant activities would take a huge toll on Miss Asuncion’s health which could impede her faster recovery."
"We, Team Cagayan, agree with this decision as we also put premium on the health and well being of our delegate above anything else."
"To Miss Asuncion, we thank you hugely for ably representing us in the national stage and for bringing to the fore the admirable qualities of a modern Cagayana."
"You will always be our Miss Cagayan Province 2021."
"And to the talents, creatives, and supporters who supported Miss Asuncion’s journey, no words can express our appreciation."
"We will come back stronger next year."
Asuncion made it to Top 50 and announced the good news yesterday on her Instagram account.
She also shared on the same post that she tested positive for COVID-19.
"Hello top 50!🙏. I went silent for days. With the discovery of being COVID positive with pneumonia, I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t know what’s the next that could happen," she wrote.
"But you see, this fear of the unknown can’t stop me. It might be hard, but all I know is I will heal. I will get better. Tuloy ang laban."