Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson said that the Miss Universe Philippines franchise is already with him.
Singson revealed in an interview with Wilson Flores for Philippine Star that he has acquired the said franchise but the formal announcement will be done when Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray returns to the country for her homecoming celebration.
“True, the franchise is already with me, but it has not yet been announced. I think it shall be formally announced this January or February, when Catriona comes back again to the Philippines,” Singson said.
“Binibining Pilipinas Universe will be replaced with ‘Miss Universe Philippines.’ Noon pa binibigay sa akin ‘yan, because I’ve been helping them since 2016,” he added.
A country’s representative for the Miss Universe pageant is chosen by its local franchise owners. The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc (BPCI) is currently the Miss Universe Philippines franchise holder. The said organization has been choosing the country’s representative for Miss Universe through the Binibining Pilipinas pageant since 1964.
He said that he first made arrangements with the Miss Universe Organization back in 2016 when the pageant was held in the Philippines.
“I dealt with them for the hosting of the Miss Universe pageant here in the Philippines in 2016. Instead of talking to many companies before, they just talked to me and I then gave them a non-refundable deposit of $1 million. Who would disagree to that, non-refundable? I gained their trust. Before the signing in 2016, they even first asked me to pay $12 million,” he said.
Singson added that aside from acquiring the Miss Universe Philippines franchise, he will also be helping with the preparations for the Miss Universe 2019 pageant which will be held in South Korea.
“Before, it was held in Jeju island because it doesn’t require visas for foreign tourists. The 2019 Miss Universe will be unique because for the first time in history, North Korea will participate but no swimsuit portion for their candidate, only the national costume,” he said.
Amid Singson’s revelations, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc (BPCI) chairperson Stella Araneta said that the Miss Universe Philippines franchise is still with them
The Miss Universe Organization has not yet announced who will be the holder of the Miss Universe Philippines franchise.
Photo credits: GMA
