MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will push through with hosting the Miss Universe pageant early next year, a Department of Tourism official said on Tuesday.
Rumors surfaced last week that the beauty pageant will no longer be held in the Philippines.
Tourism Undersecretary Katherine de Castro denied the rumors which sparked from a status she posted on her Facebook account last Thursday which read, "Naiyak si Pia [Wurtzbach]. Naiyak ako. Sana nandito ka Jonas para 3 na tayong umiyak."
On her Twitter account, De Castro clarified that the cancelation rumors are not true.
Those cancellation rumors on Miss Universe, are simply just that... rumors. Please wait for official announcements soon from MUO. Thank you.
— Kat De Castro (@KatDeCastro) October 1, 2016
Some are citing my post last Thursday BEFORE the Hitler issue. Pia & I had dinner. We were reminiscing. Hence, the "iyak" part. Chill lang.
— Kat De Castro (@KatDeCastro) October 1, 2016
"Meeting with the Miss Universe Organization is still ongoing and official announcements will be made in the next few days," De Castro said on her Facebook account.
Last week, Miss Universe officials conducted ocular inspections on possible venues for the competition including Manila, Vigan and Cebu.
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The Miss Universe coronation night is set to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 30, 2017. — Patricia Lourdes Viray