At last! The hosting of the Philippines of Miss Universe pageant in January is official.
It’s official! The contract for the hosting of the Philippines of the 65th edition of Miss Universe in January 2017 has been signed.
On Wednesday night, the Miss Universe Organization signed the agreement with partner organizations Department of Tourism (DOT), SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc., Solar Entertainment Inc., and Okada Manila.
This was done in less than 74 days, before the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant once again take place in the Philippines.
It has been 43 years after the country first hosted it in 1974.
The 65th Miss Universe Facebook fan page and website were also launched at the event.
According to Shawn McClain, vice president of business development and marketing of the Miss Universe Organization, the Philippines will advantage from the 3-hour event that will be telecast worldwide.
“We will have a team of about 400 people here, and we’re gonna be visiting lots of different places, and we’re going to be showing the world what the Philippines has to offer. And we’re gonna be helping boost tourism, and putting positive focus on everything that the Philippines is and stands for and will be in the future,” McClain said.
McClain added that the Philippine government will not spend anything for the pageant.
“It’s all private sector,” he said.
On the same event on Wednesday, the pageant’s official website (www.65thmissuniverse.com) and Facebook page (@MissUniverse65th) were also launched.
After Pia Wurtzbach got the crown as Miss Universe 2015, this year, the Philippines is fielding Maxine Medina, a 25-year-old interior designer and model, in the pageant.
The much-awaited competition which will be held on January 30, 2017 at Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena is expected to hold up to 15,000 guests.
Weeks prior to pageant night, the candidates from different countries will arrive in Manila for their tour at the country’s attractions.
Pre-pageant activities, such as the Governor’s Ball, National Costume contest, National Gift Auction, and Coronation Ball, will be held in tourist spots in the country including Vigan, Cebu, Baguio, and Davao.
