Robert Requintina
THE Philippines is more than ready to welcome Miss Universe pageant in 2017, according to the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) as it launched the photo gallery of this year’s official candidates who will be arriving in the country early next month.
“The last time the Philippines hosted the pageant was in 1994 and after more than 20 years apart, the country is more than ready to welcome Miss Universe in our islands in 2017,” said the MUO about the Philippines as host city for the 65th edition of the most prestigious beauty pageant.
“The Philippines is home to 7,107 islands offering infinite experience and adventure anyone can dream of. It will be a privilege to share what the home of the reigning Miss Universe can offer to the competition’s candidates and guests.
“With the unique culture of the Filipino people, hosting Miss Universe will showcase the warm hospitality and helpful nature of the people,” added the MUO which is based in New York City.
This is the third time that the Miss Universe contest will be staged in the Philippines, the first time was in 1974. Then the country hosted the pageant for the second time in 1994.
“The history of the Philippines in holding prestigious international events proves to be a strong quality of the country in making successful and memorable occasions,” pageant organizers also said.
The Miss Universe website has launched its photo gallery of the official candidates who will compete in the pageant.
So far, no announcements have been made as to the hosts, judges, and performers during the grand coronation which will be held at the 15,000-seater SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Jan. 30, 2017.
Unconfirmed reports said that Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico and Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen of India are coming to the Manila pageant. It was also reported that one of them will sit as member of the board of judges during the finals.
Torres first visited the Philippines when she passed on her crown to Sen. Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, president of the holding company LCS Group which is the official host of the pageant, said all local free TV networks will broadcast the beauty contest upon the request of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Lahat ng channels, Channel 7, Channel 5, lahat na,” said Singson during the official launch of the Miss Universe 2016 pageant in Manila last Nov. 16.
But Singson said that the beauty pageant will not broadcast at 5 a.m. as earlier reported. Instead, the program will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will be broadcast live in 190 countries.
Singson said that hosting of the Miss Universe pageant here is a perfect time to share the good news that our country has one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.
“As a vacation haven, we have over six million visits annually. But without a doubt, a global event such as this, held in the Philippines, will raise our visitation numbers. Not only improving our image in the eyes of the international community, but generating new jobs and opportunities – all of which help us continue on to our path to prosperity,” said Singson.
Miss Universe Vice President for Marketing and Business Development Shawn McClain said that the beauty contest will be a really timely show.
“We’re going to show as much of the Philippines as we can and it’s a beautiful country, so it’s a great back drop for the show. We wanted it to be a really timely show, so we want to make sure that by the time it happens, we’re going to have the most relevant talent, the most relevant musical acts and that it’s going to draw a lot of attention.
You’ll gonna love it,” said McClain.
