Miss U for third time in Manila: What to expect

MANILA, Philippines - The “most prestigious” beauty pageant in the world — or the universe, rather — is definitely, finally happening in the country. 

After some delay in the official announcement and a few snags including an almost-cancellation, the formal countdown is on to the 65th Miss Universe at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 30, 2017.

Reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach will be passing on the crown to her successor in what will be the third time the country is hosting the pageant. The first one was held in 1974 at the Folk Arts Theater and then in 1994 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

Pia, as everyone knows, is the third Filipina Miss Universe winner after Margie Moran (1973) and Gloria Diaz (1969).

“Finally, it’s pushing through. Maraming tumulong (Many helped make it happen),” said former Ilocos Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson during the official media launch and ceremonial contract signing between the Miss Universe Organization (MOU) and the host committee last Wednesday night at the Makati Shangri-La. 

Singson’s LCS Group of Companies serves as the host of the Miss U pageant. The event partners are the Okada Manila, Solar Entertainment, Inc. and SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. 

Okada Manila, a premier casino resort and hotel complex, is expected to take care of the accommodations of the candidates; SM Lifestyle Entertainment for the venue of the competition proper; and Solar Entertainment for the broadcast aspect.

LCS invested more than $12M to bring the pageant here. 

According to Singson, “Maraming kinausap pero takot mag-invest because even before you negotiate, you have to deposit $1M (and it’s) un-refundable.”

He added, “We secured the $12.9M. Marami naman tumulong. Baka malugi ng konti but it’s good for the country. We’re seeing that the effect of it on our tourism will be good. It will have a domino effect. I’m after the impact it will have on local businesses. It’s good for the country and the businesses of everybody.”

It almost didn’t happen though. 

The 65th Annual Miss Universe competition will be hosted in the Philippines by the private sector in hopes of bringing pride, prestige and tourism opportunities to the country. In photo during the ceremonial toast held at the Makati Shangri-La are (from left) Department of Tourism Asec. Frederick Alegre, SM Lifestyle Entertainment VP Ruby Ann Reyes, Solar Entertainment president and CEO Wilson Tieng, LCS Group chairman Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson, Okada Manila chairman Kazuo Okada and Miss Universe Organization VP Shawn McClain. Photo by Boy Santos

“There was a time (it was cancelled),” admitted Singson. “Ako di pwede kanselin kasi bayad kami, fully-paid and we signed a contract, (so) it’s a breach of contract. The Miss Universe Organization, they wanted it to happen, but the owners, ayaw na (they didn’t want it). Sabi ng may-ari, babayaran namin pati mga damages. (The owners said that ‘we will pay for everything, even the damages.’)”

Asked what were the reasons behind the near cancellation, Singson said, “Maraming dahilan. Ang may-ari kasi mga Jew. Well, si Obama, chief of staff niya yung kapatid ng may-ari and kapatid nila ang mayor ng Chicago so parang politics (related). But after the elections okey na lahat.”

It has been reported that one of the owners of the Miss U organization is Hollywood mogul Ariel Zev “Ari” Emanuel, whose brother is the former White House Chief of Staff and current Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte made international headlines for comments against outgoing US President Barack Obama. He also referenced the Holocaust in reaction to criticisms on his administration’s war on drugs. The President had since apologized, which in turn was accepted by the Jewish community in the country.

Singson said that he also sought the help of long-time friends from the Jewish community in asking the Miss U owners to reconsider their decision.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time even before the elections. Nag-uusap na kami at lahat. Then we had a contract... Contrary to what other people were saying, it was already fully paid. That was our edge. Of course, if they cancelled, kita na tayo, pero nakakahiya naman kung ganun.”

Adding to the challenges was a petition to cancel the pageant here, which was addressed to the Miss U organization and signed by some prominent figures and women leaders from the previous administration such as Fil-Am community leader Loida Nicolas-Lewis, former Social Welfare Sec. Dinky Soliman, former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Etta Rosales, former presidential peace adviser Ging Deles and Miss International 1970 Aurora Pijuan.

“We respect them that’s why our theme is to empower the women of the Philippines,” said Singson, adding that they’re spending $1B for the program under Pass It Forward, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the pageant.

Despite odds, it’s now all systems go and Singson reiterated that the event is private sector driven and at no expense to the government, in accordance also to the wishes of President Duterte. “Walang gastos ang gobyerno. President Duterte is supporting us through the Department of Tourism (DOT), so OK na yun.”

“The instructions of President Duterte were very clear: We don’t intend to spend a single centavo,” DOT Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre said. “And the private sector group has actually come up with very good support. And you can see the companies that are involved here and the additional sponsors coming in. It’s going to be quite a fantastic, memorable, beautiful event with no expense from the Philippine government.” 

Asec. Alegre further said, “We’re very much excited about this. We’re very much prepared to receive the Miss Universe. In fact, the whole department, under the leadership of Sec. Wanda Teo, has mobilized everybody to prepare in their respective areas for the ancillary events. And we’re coordinating closely with the private sector group to make sure that everything is seamless and that candidates will be welcomed with open arms in preparation for the arrival in January.” 

Asked what kind of support the organizers have specifically asked from the government, Asec. Alegre said, “They need local government support (so) the DOT workforce is already in place. Security also is something being arranged. We’ve gotten the assurance from the PNP, that they will secure the candidates in all their destinations.”

Meanwhile, architect Richelle Singson-Michael, the chairperson of the host committee, said, “We’ve been working on this for several months already. I would say in terms of preparation, we’re 60-percent ready. There’s still much work to do. More sponsors (are) coming in, more regional sponsors. As of now, two have confirmed from Cebu and Baguio. We’re looking at eight more destinations that the contestants are gonna go to.”

She also dismissed the notice that went viral on social media, supposedly announcing the hosts, judges and special guests. “Some are true, some are not, they just put together their best guess,” Singson-Michael added. 

All updates can be viewed on the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MissUniverse65th.

Ninety delegates from around the world will start arriving on Jan. 13 and will stay in the country until Feb. 1, 2017. The confirmed activities to date are the Governor’s Ball, National Costume, National Gift Auction and Coronation Ball. Pre-pageant events will take place in select tourist spots.

Shawn McClain, vice president for business development of the Miss Universe Organization, said that the Philippines will reap benefits and promotional values from the three-hour event to be telecast in approximately 190 territories and countries worldwide.

McClain stressed, “Our expertise is to highlight the host country we’re in. We’ve been doing it for 65 years. We’re going to have a team of about 400 people and visiting different places. We’re going to show what the Philippines has to offer. We’re going to help put a positive focus on everything that the Philippines is and stands for.”