Miss Universe 2019 will be in South Korea, Singson says

MANILA, Philippines— South Korea will stage the next Miss Universe competition, according to former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Singson revealed the international pageant’s venue for next year in a radio interview on Thursday. He added that the pageant being held in South Korea will be good for Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s exposure.

"Dati na akong tumutulong kasi sa Miss Universe, mula noong ako'y nag-sponsor, taon-taon tumutulong ako sa kanila. Kaya sa Bangkok ginawa, nakatulong din ako,” Singson said in an interview with DZMM Teleradyo.

(I have been helping with Miss Universe for a long time. Ever since I was a sponsor, I have been helping them each year. I also helped have it held in Bangkok.)

“Saka next year, na-arrange ko na, sa South Korea, at sasama ang North Korea, kaya maganda ang exposure ni Catriona 'pag tinurn-over na, itu-turn over niya sa next Miss Universe, doon ko gagawin sa South Korea," he added.

(For next year, I have already arranged for it to be held in South Korea. And North Korea is joining, so that means it will be good exposure for Catriona... when she turns over the crown at the next Miss Universe... it will be held in South Korea.)

In 2016, Singon’s LCS Group of Companies led the hosting of Miss Universe in the Philippines in coordination with the Department of Tourism. Singson is the president of LCS.

Despite not being a host for the Miss Universe 2018 and 2019, Singson said he would still help. He said he would sponsor the parking lot in South Korea, citing that he has factories in that country.

Singson explained that he is taking the initiative in sponsoring the pageant so that he can help promote tourism in the country.

On Wednesday, newly crowned Miss Universe Gray arrived in the Philippines aboard Singson's private jet. Singson's daughter, Richelle Singson-Michael, also the vice chair of LCS, served on the selection committee of the Miss Universe 2018 held in Bangkok, Thailand.