Behaved Duterte heaps praise on Miss U bets

MANILA, Philippines — It was a day that he wished would never end.

 

A behaved President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed candidates of the 65th Miss Universe pageant Monday in Malacañan and asked them to be the “change that they want to see in the world.”

 

Duterte, who is known for his fondness for hyperbole, heaped praises at the candidates, saying beautiful women make him forget all the troubles that come with his job.

 

“Before I proceed, I’d like to make an admission that never in my life I have been with a room full of beautiful women. This is (both) a privilege and an honor and I hope that this day will never end,” the president said.  

 

“I must say that God is really good. Aside from the worries of governance, with all the troubles in the world, when we look at you, we forget the universe, but only you,” he added.

 

Eighty-four of the 86 candidates attended the courtesy call on the president. The representatives of Finland and Switzerland were not able to make it because they were not feeling well. Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said the two candidates may not be used to warm weather.

 

Miss Universe candidates rehearsing here in Malacañang @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/oYi0NxIU9Q

— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) January 23, 2017

 

Instead of delivering his usual free-wheeling and profanity laced speeches, Duterte chose to stick to his prepared statement.

 

“I usually do not read my speeches. I am not up to it really but this time because they told me that I must behave in my language, in the adjectives that I would be using to characterize or define your beauty, all of you,” he said.

 

Duterte went on to thank the Miss Universe Organization for allowing the Philippines to host the beauty tilt.

 

“I am confident that the Department of Tourism and our valuable partners in the private sector for government have prepared well enough to make this (an) event to remember,” the president said.

 

“And I am equally confident that our host, communities, and the Filipino people would themselves have given and will give each candidate many precious memories to hold on,” he added.

 

 

Duterte said it was an honor for the Philippines to share its beautiful destinations and rich culture to the 86 candidates. The candidates toured parts of Vigan, Cebu, Baguio, Batangas and Davao before visiting Malacañan.

 

The president said the Miss Universe pageant is an opportunity for candidates to represent their countries, promote their advocacies and advance women empowerment to a greater audience.

 

“More importantly, this is chance for you to make an impact, to inspire change, and even be the change that you wish to see in the world,” Duterte said.

 

“That is why I hope that you will continue to make this out of your time here in the competition and in your country,” he added.

 

Before ending his speech, Duterte gave a toast for the “beauty and brains” of the Miss Universe candidates.

 

Teo said Duterte has been invited to the coronation night on January 30 but the president has not yet made a commitment to attend the event.

 

This will be the third time the Philippines is hosting the international beauty contest. The Southeast Asian country hosted the beauty tilt in 1974 and in 1994. Teo previously said the hosting of the Miss Universe pageant would cost about $11 million but clarified that the private sector, not the government, would be the one to shoulder the expenses.

 

The Philippines’ candidate for Miss Universe 2016 is Maxine Medina, a 25-year-old model and interior designer. 

 

WATCH: Ms. Philippines Maxine Medina waves to the media here in Malacañang @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/VHTpSNcjuj

— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) January 23, 2017

 

The Philippines has bagged the Miss Universe title three times. Gloria Diaz won the title in 1969 while Margie Moran took home the Miss Universe crown in 1973. The reigning Miss Universe titleholder is Pia Wurtzbach, a Filipino-German actress and model.