Teo: Philippines not hosting Miss Universe pageant this year
In this Jan. 30, 2017 file photo, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, then newly crowned Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere from France and businessman Chavit Singson, a patron of the Philippines' hosting of the pageant poses before the members of the press. Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
MANILA, Philippines — Tourism chief Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo on Thursday announced that the Philippines will not host the international pageant, Miss Universe this year.
“No Miss Universe this year. Baka next year,” Teo was quoted announcing at the International Conference on Sustainable Tourism for Development.
According to Teo, it would be too soon for the country to host the pageant anew since the 66th Miss Universe is scheduled to be held during the last week of November this year.
The country last hosted the pageant last January 30. The coronation night was held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Prior to Teo’s announcement, Miss Universe Organization officials and some former candidates last June 9 went to the country to negotiate the possible back to back hosting of the pageant.
Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart said that the last hosting was prepared for about three months only and so it should have been easy for the country to host anew. However, Teo said the tourism agency will still study it.
Tourism Undersecretary for Advocacy and Public Affairs Kat De Castro earlier said it was the Miss Universe Organization that reached out to the DOT for the renewal of hosting contract.
Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit Singson, one of the major sponsors of Miss Universe 2016, last January said he is open to the possibility of staging the international pageant in the country again if he will be supported by government agencies.
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