Pia Wurtzbach scored a coup for the Philippines when she took home the Miss Universe crown in 2015, becoming the third Filipina to win after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1974. With Wurtzbach’s heroic win (she won after competing in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant three times), could it be possible that the next Miss Universe will be held in the Philippines? According to the Department of Tourism, it is.
According to Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, President Rodrigo Duterte has given her proposal the go signal “in principle.”
She said:
The President agreed that sponsoring the event would be a tourism marketing coup with Philippines’ Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach at the helm. Sponsoring Miss Universe is our focus right now, with the plan and sources of funding in tow. We are ready to seize the moment. Once Pia announces that Miss Universe is going to happen here, people abroad will start looking at the map and see where the Philippines is. And, we’re saying, we’d love to have you in PI.
Wurtzbach hinted at it in a recent Facebook Live session, saying “Right now, it’s in the works. But hopefully – hopefully, fingers crossed – it’s the one that I’ve been praying for. And I guess you know what that is, so let’s just hope for the best.”
It was reported that the Miss Universe Organization hopes to hold the Miss Universe pageant on January 30, 2017 in Manila. However, it can only push through if President Duterte gives an executive order.
However, Teo believes that the date is too soon. She cites that there are important events around that time, like the Sinulog Festival and Chinese New Year. She is proposing to hold it in May.
Teo adds that in case it happens, parts of the pageant will be held in Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu. Palawan was called the best island in the world, while Boracay and Cebu appeared in the top 10.
DOT Undersecretary Kat de Castro also revealed that Teo met with Miss Universe executives, including its president, Paula Shugart. She added that the Mall of Asia Arena or the Philippine Arena are eyed as possible venues.
If it pushes through, this will be the third time the country has hosted the pageant. In the past, the Miss Universe pageant was held in the Philippines in 1974 and 1994.
This year, Maxine Medina will represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant.
Do you think we have a shot at winning? Share your thoughts below!
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