Miss Universe Philippines set

MANILA, Philippines — Unlike most of the local and international beauty pageants that have either been cancelled or postponed to next year due to the pandemic, the first Miss Universe-Philippines will be held this year with 50 candidates competing, but a date has not yet been set.

“We will have safety protocols in place,” Jonas Gaffud, member of the team behind the pageant (with former Miss Universe runner-up Shamcey Supsup), told The STAR. “Venues will be secured to ensure only essential people are present. We will not allow visitors. There will be a health officer also to ensure compliance. All pageant segments will be retained.”

The judges will also be subject to swab tests and be isolated pending results. Reigning Miss Universe-Philippines Gazini Ganados will be invited to crown her successor but her participation is subject to approval of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BBPCI), the previous franchise holder that staged its last pageant for Miss Universe bet last year.

Added Gaffud, “The changes we already foresee are – pageants can be more forward thinking and not only for photo ops, we have a clear guide on how to help more people and make it relevant. We aim for more substance for better impact.”

Asked if the Miss Universe pageant would also be held, Gaffud said, “We have to wait for the announcement of the Miss Universe Organization.”