Miss Universe events to feature top Philippine destinations
MANILA, Philippines (Philippines News Agency) — Two destinations each from the three main geographical divisions of the Philippines will be featured at the 65th Miss Universe pageant.
The development was learned after the Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed that the country will host the pageant on Jan. 30, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Two of the destinations are the home provinces of the Philippines's Mindanaoan prides: Davao City of President Rodrigo Duterte and Cagayan de Oro of Miss Universe 2016 Pia Wurtzbach.
The other destinations are Boracay and Cebu, which are in Visayas, and Vigan and Palawan, which are in Luzon.
“We have a president [who] comes from Mindanao and our Miss Universe is from Mindanao, so I think it is the best time for us to do Miss Universe in the Philippines,” said Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo.
She also assured the public that the government would not shoulder any amount from the $11-million budget for the pageant. Teo said it will be shouldered by private sectors which they will name at another time. — Azer N. Parrocha, PNA
