Gazini Ganados risks brand deals as she makes bold stance on Israel-Palestine conflict

The former Miss Universe Philippines reveals how her Palestinian roots guide her outspoken personal advocacy.

For Gazini Ganados, supporting Palestine is more than a public statement. It is a cause rooted in her family, Palestinian heritage, and belief that humanity should come before commercial interests.

The former Miss Universe Philippines titleholder continues to speak out about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even as she acknowledges that her advocacy could put her at odds with brands that prefer to avoid politically sensitive issues.

During her guest appearance on GMA Network’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Gazini discussed the challenges of openly supporting Palestine, particularly when her social media posts could affect her professional relationships.

Host Boy Abunda praised her for taking a firm position on the conflict and asked whether her outspoken views had ever caused problems for her.

“Grabe ang tapang mo! I’ve read your posts, and you take a very, very strong stand for Palestine dito sa giyera ng Israel at saka ng Palestine. Don’t you ever get into trouble [for that?]” Abunda asked.

Gazini admitted that some brands have chosen to steer clear of the issue.

“I do, Tito Boy. In fact, there are some brands that are quite avoiding the topic,” she said.

Her advocacy also influences her purchasing decisions. Gazini revealed that she sometimes avoids or boycotts brands she believes support Israel, showing how her convictions extend beyond social media.

“Sometimes, I also avoid brands that support Israel and boycott them in some way,” she added.

However, Gazini clarified that her stance does not mean she condemns Israel or its people as a whole. She acknowledged that some Israelis have good intentions, emphasizing that her advocacy stems from humanitarian concerns rather than hostility toward an entire population.

“But I’m not against Israel as a whole because I know that some [Israelis] have big hearts and nice intentions,” she said.

For Gazini, the central issue is recognizing the human cost of the conflict and standing up for those affected by it.

“It’s just that [we’re in an] era where we have to stand [up for] humanity,” she declared.

Her advocacy also carries personal significance. Born in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, to a Palestinian father and a Filipina mother, Gazini has spoken about her connection to her Palestinian roots. Her father, Ghassan, is a Palestinian dentist based in Gaza, and she reunited with him in Cebu after years of searching for him.

She has since used her public platform to raise awareness about Palestine and help her family, including efforts to facilitate their evacuation from Gaza amid the ongoing conflict.

After representing the Philippines at Miss Universe 2019, Gazini has continued to use her platform to highlight issues beyond pageantry. Despite the potential impact on her brand partnerships, she remains committed to speaking up for Palestine and standing by her convictions.

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