Long before Miss Universe 2016 landed on the islands of the Philippines, the Filipina beauties vying for this world-class beauty pageant have always been at HOME with PLDT, enjoying a confidently beautiful and fruitful partnership with the leading Philippine telco and digital services provider years ago.
2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and 2014 Bb. Pilipinas Universe MJ Lastimosa have been ambassadors for PLDT HOME since winning their titles of Bb. Pilipinas Universe. When they bagged their crowns and started their respective reigns, PLDT has been and remains to be their staunchest supporter, ever.
Pia and MJ, accompanied by their courts, always happily remember how much fun they had, going around the country promoting the PLDT Home broadband service even in the remote areas of Mindanao. Pia says, “I am really very happy I have this kind of relationship with PLDT. I believe in what they stand for. They have always been there to support me and I am truly grateful.” MJ echoes the same sentiments. She says, “PLDT has truly become my family, my HOME. To this day, I join them in their events and it has been as wonderful as the first day we started this partnership.”
This year, our very own Miss Universe candidate Maxine Medina continues to carry the “Universe” torch for PLDT HOME. Wurtzbach shares the Filipino audience’s excitement. And as a way of thanking PLDT HOME subscribers for all their support, she spearheads a promo to handpick lucky subscribers who will win tickets to watch the prestigious beauty pageant live at Mall of Asia Arena. “The PLDT subscribers will be my VIP guests come coronation night on Jan. 30,” she said.
The groundbreaking partnership, between PLDT, Smart Communications, TV5, the Miss Universe Organization and Solar Entertainment, brings the much anticipated Miss Universe 2016 closer to Filipinos everywhere. PLDT Fibr, the leading and most powerful broadband network in the country, and mobile leader Smart will provide fixed broadband and mobile connectivity to power the Miss Universe pageant throughout their stay in the Philippines. With the country’s widest Fibr broadband network, which delivers symmetrical speeds of up to 1Gbps and Smart’s superior mobile LTE network, consumers can be assured of the best real-time Miss Universe experience.
PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan has been credited for his advocacy of ushering the country into the international map in the field of sports. Today, MVP’s dream is a day closer as the Philippines takes a shot at hosting the Miss Universe pageant. The PLDT Group will enable the best viewing experience of the pageant in the Philippines through its various terrestrial and digital channels, across multiple screens at home and on the go. The world is watching and the Philippines is prepared.
“With the Miss Universe crown currently in our homeland, the enthusiasm for and connection of Filipinos to the global pageant is now stronger than ever,” Pangilinan said. “With the combined reach of PLDT, Smart and TV5, we are providing our countrymen more ways to enjoy the pageant. We are giving them exclusive access to behind-the-scenes and key events such as the very popular swimsuit and long gown competitions, and of course, real-time viewing of the much-awaited coronation night. With our robust network capabilities and the largest consumer base of over 75 million Filipinos, millions of fans can watch the pageant events via multiple platforms, whether on TV, laptop or mobile—whenever they want, wherever they want. For years, we have been revolutionizing the way entertainment is consumed in the nation, offering our subscribers an extensive entertainment portfolio featuring top digital entertainment partners. Miss Universe is one platform we would not miss out on.”
On top of the complete broadcast coverage of the coronation night, TV5 will give viewers access to the preliminary show, specifically the swimsuit and long gown rounds. “Filipinos can look forward to watching their favorite contestants compete even before the grand finale, something only TV5 can offer,” TV5 President and CEO Chot Reyes said. “We aim to bring the pageant to life by bringing it closer to the hearts and enthusiasm of every Filipino.”
TV5 signed with Solar for the partnership which encompasses on-air, on-ground and PR values—the blocktime airing of the Coronation Night on Jan. 30, the exclusive airing of the long gown and swimsuit preliminary competitions on Jan. 28 and 29 which will also be available online on the same day, powered by PLDT and Smart.