The Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed that a seat has been reserved for President Rodrigo Duterte at the Miss Universe 2016 coronation night.
Although it is a coronation night, the pageant will be held on January 30 in the morning to coincide with an evening broadcast in New York City, USA.
It will also be broadcast live in over 190 countries.
In an inter-agency meeting on Wednesday, January 4, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo confirmed that a seat is reserved for Duterte during the pageant night.
“There will be a seat for the president,” Teo confirmed. “He will be seated beside me.”
Although it is scheduled in January 2017, the pageant will still be Miss Universe 2016 since the reigning winner Pia Wurtzbach, a Filipina, was crowned in December 2015.
With the number of beauties coming from different countries worldwide, the pageant is one of the major activities expected to boost attention and tourism to the Philippines.
The country last hosted Miss Universe in 1994.
Based on its schedule, the coronation ceremony will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Earlier, the DOT has expressed their desire to have Duterte present at the pageant night.
They even said that they would love to have him judge the show.
Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro said on December 9,“I think Miss Universe Organization is very much welcome to have him in the show. Apparently, it’s a rule for Miss Universe Organization not to have a judge from the host country but I think if it’s the President, that’s gonna be another, you know, I think they will make an exception to the rule.”
However, they later clarified that the idea was entirely hypothetical, because the Miss Universe Organization prefer not to have politicians in the panel.
Nonetheless, on January 23, the Miss Universe contestants will have a courtesy call to Malacañang Palace, when they will have a chance to meet the president. A national gift auction will also be held same date.
In a separate interview with CNN, Tuesday, the tourism secretary said that at least 88 beauties from around the world will be arriving next Friday, January 13, for the much anticipated Miss Universe pageant.
“Two or three will be arriving on (January) 7 but the bulk will be on the 13th… because on the 14th, there will already be an event,” Teo said.
It was earlier confirmed that the controversial Steve Harvey, and Ashley Graham are set to host this year’s pageant.
The Tourism Department has also recommended other local personalities, but the organizers have yet to select a third host.
According to Teo, the pageant is guaranteed to aid tourism and help locals’ livelihoods.
“We want all these places to be featured during the event, para naman lahat makikilala (so they will all be known),” said Teo in CNN interview.
“Tourist arrivals will increase, definitely. We’ll be able to generate employment (because) we’ll be hiring locals for the stage, preparations… catering,” she added.
