Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said Saturday that President Rodrigo Duterte is open to holding the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in the Philippines.
According to a report by GMA News, Teo revealed that it was the president himself who brought up the idea during their previous cabinet meeting.
The Tourism secretary added that she is already coordinating with the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) to hold the 67th Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines and to possibly have the swimsuit competition in Boracay.
She said that holding one of the events of the prestigious pageant in Boracay will help boost its tourism after the 6-month rehabilitation.
“O, sige kung gusto ninyo, ilagay natin ang Miss Universe dun, papuntahin natin ang Miss Universe para pag nag-open ‘yan, lahat magsipuntahan,” the president told Teo.
However, Teo clarified that plans of holding the Miss Universe pageant is not yet final as the organization is also considering China to be the host country.
“Hindi pa sigurado, but I’m working on Miss Universe. I want the Miss Universe to be here… We’re working on it if not this year, next year,” Teo said.
According to previous reports, Teo also said that last year, the MUO wanted to hold the Miss Universe 2017 pageant in the Philippines but it coincided with the ASEAN Summit.
“Kinausap na kami [ng MUO] na gusto nila sa atin… pero nung kinausap ko si Presidente, sabi niya, ‘You know what, may ASEAN tayo.’
“November ang ASEAN, November din ang Miss Universe, baka daw mahihirapan,” she said.
She also said that the president is not difficult to talk with regarding matter, and if Duterte will approve, Teo said that preparations for the pageant will be longer.
“If kung matuloy man, by April, we have to look for sponsors na, if ever.. kasi nung last time [Miss Universe 2016] ipit na, kulang kami sa time masyado.
“This time, if ever, mahaba ang oras,” she said.
