THE first Miss Universe pre-pageant activity kicked off in Boracay Island on Saturday as the world’s most beautiful women flocked to the Philippines for the pageant on Jan. 30.
The pageant activities began as Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said a total of 84 candidates have already arrived in the Philippines, with some of them in Manila and 16 others in Boracay for pre-pageant activities.
After Boracay, the ladies will also attend pre-pageant activities in Vigan on Jan. 15, Cebu on Jan. 17, Baguio on Jan. 18, and Batangas and Davao on Jan. 19.
A Governor’s Ball will also be held in Manila on Jan. 16 and a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on Jan. 23. The pageant will be capped by the finals and coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 30.
Teo said the candidates and the rest of the world will see the real Philippines and the government will not make any effort to hide poverty like what the Aquino administration did whenever there was a big international event in the country.
“We will not hide the squatters, we want them to see what the Philippines is,” she said. “There are also squatters in their places, so we don’t need to hide them.”
During the Asia-Pacific Economic summit held in Metro Manila last 2015, homeless and street children were sent to a resort outside of Metro Manila to hide them from the foreign leaders who visited the country.
But Teo said the candidates will have to stay in their hotels when they do not have any scheduled activity to avoid traffic congestion.
“The President really told us to avoid traffic congestion because of our event, so we will just contain them in their hotels during those days that they do not have any schedules,” she said.
The secretary said that she expects that after the Miss Universe candidates tour around the country, it will boost the tourism industry of the Philippines.
“I want them to have the impression that it is safe to travel Mindanao after their visit here and hopefully they will lift their travel advisories,” Teo said, adding the DoT expects two million tourists in 2018.
In Aklan, the 16 beauty queens were warmly welcomed by residents upon their arrival at the Godofredo Ramos Airport in Caticlan before they headed to the Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa.
Miss Australia Caris Tiivel was delighted by the warm welcome they received while Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun complimented the beauty of Boracay.
“This is unbelievable! All these folks, young and old, turned out to welcome us,” Tiivel said in an interview.
“Boracay is even more exciting and meaningful. The people are very friendly and joyful to be with,” Htun said, in a separate interview.
Private sponsors headed by former governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and Solar Entertainment were joined by Malay town mayor Ciceron Cawaling, and Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre.
Also in attendance were Tessa Paz Alviz, Solar Entertainment vice-president for Programming and Marketing and Miss Universe first runner-up Shamcey Supsup, who hosted the event.