Attention, beauty pageant fans! The government wants you to know that the Miss Universe pageant will push through in the Philippines on Jan 30, 2017 (supposedly the coronation night).
During a press conference on Mon, Oct 4, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo denied rumors that the pageant was no longer going to be held in the country.
“I’d like to assure you that Miss Universe, the contest will be here on Jan 30, definitely,” Teo said as quoted by The Philippine Star.
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Teo also said that they will launch the country’s new tourism campaign slogan — replacing “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” — on Jan 13, 2017 the day contestants of the Miss Universe pageant are expected to arrive in the country.
Teo explained that while the coronation night will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Miss Universe pre-pageant activities would be done outside Metro Manila.
Needless to say, the DOT is expecting a lot of guests to come visit the Philippines for the Miss Universe pageant. As the report indicated, “beauty pageant fanatics” from countries like China, Venezuela, and Colombia have expressed intentions to reserve “entire sectors” of the Mall of Asia Arena.
“They (Miss Universe Organization) were telling us that apparently one candidate can bring in as many as 1,500 supporters and we’re looking at almost 100. That’s why they’re planning for other auxiliary events so that they can see the girls from there,” said DOT undersecretary Kat De Castro.
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It should be noted that the Miss Universe Organization hasn’t officially announced the Philippines as the venue of the 65th Miss Universe pageant.
But, according to Armin Amida of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, this is probably because “the group may still be waiting for the complete turnover of the required hosting fees from the DOT before making anything official.”
