This is one of the most moving moments of the MGI All Stars, and the video, already viewed millions of times worldwide, is setting social media ablaze. During the beauty pageant taking place in Thailand from May 18 to 30, 2026, in a closed-door interview, Gazini Ganados, the Filipino-Palestinian beauty queen, was asked a personal question by Omar Harfouch: "What does it really feel like to be Palestinian?"
Facing the jury, the candidate delivered an emotional and dignified response. Dressed in a pink jacket and wearing a Palestinian scarf, Gazini Ganados explained what it means to her to carry this identity, but also the family and collective pain linked to her origins.
“Wearing a piece of Palestine” a shocking response
The candidate answered the competition question, transforming the moment into a heartfelt plea. She spoke of courage, resilience, separation, but also of the pride she felt in representing a people she symbolically embodies. "close to his heart".
Gazini Ganados declared: “In reality, I carry a piece of Palestine, and carrying it is a true form of strength, courage, and resilience. To be Palestinian is to belong to a people who were simply born in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and who did not deserve all the adversity they are going through.
I met my father right after I participated in Miss Universe 2019. All my life, I wanted brothers and sisters, and now that I've finally found them, they can't even send me letters. I can't send them gifts, I can't hug them, comfort them, or save them.
So for me, this platform is a way to show the world how proud I am to be Palestinian. I am ready to wear their flag close to my heart, exactly as I was destined to do. And I am destined to shine like a star, because I was born Palestinian.
A video that went viral
After the clip aired, many internet users praised Gazini Ganados's sincerity and strength. Several comments highlighted the visible emotion surrounding her, particularly among some of the other contestants and members of the jury. Another moment shows her receiving a supportive hug from Omar Harfouch after her appearance, a sign of the immediate impact of her words. For many, this intervention serves as a reminder that beauty pageants can also become spaces for expression, where contestants share personal stories, struggles with identity, and profoundly human messages.
MGI All Stars: a highly anticipated first edition in Thailand
As a reminder, this year marks the first edition of MGI All Stars, a new international competition launched by the Miss Grand International organization. The event is being held in Thailand, primarily in Bangkok, from May 18th to 30th, 2026, with the grand finale scheduled for May 30th at the MGI Hall, Bravo BKK.
Conceived as a competition bringing together former contestants and beauty queens from various national and international pageants, MGI All Stars aims to be a platform for comebacks, recognition, and redemption for women already known in the world of pageants. Through ceremonies, challenges, fashion shows, cultural activities, preliminary rounds, and individual interviews, the contestants are evaluated as much on their stage presence as on their personality, their story, and their ability to convey a message.
Watch Gazini Ganados's poignant speech:
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