MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Miss Universe 2019 bet Gazini Ganados underscored the importance of elderly care in her opening speech after she was called as part of the pageant’s Top 20 Monday.

Ganados shared her involvement in an organization dedicated for elderly care and that she is fighting the stigma against ageism.

“The world is aging and my grandparents raised me, and I worked in an organization that was supporting elderly care. I realized that there’s this stigma between ageism, poverty, exclusivity and invincibility,” Ganados said.

“It is rightful for us to remember that they were the ones who paved the way for us and we should reciprocate that love and no one should ever be left behind. Thank you!” she added.

Ganados has previously partnered with the Coalition of Services for the Elderly, Inc. (COSE), a non-government organization “that works with older persons in the Philippines to address their issues and rights.”

The Filipino-Palestinian beauty from Cebu, however, failed to bag the crown after she failed to land in the pageant’s Top 10.