MAYOR Mauricio Domogan has declared no classes in all levels in both private and public schools on January 18, Wednesday to give way for the coming of Miss Universe candidates here.
Domogan said there is a need to suspend classes in all levels to allow students and local residents to witness the arrival of the 33 international beauties which he dubbed as a once in a lifetime event for the city.
The candidates will be treated to an early glimpse of the Baguio Flower Festival, a float parade and a street dancing simulated during their motorcade from Upper Session Road going to the Baguio Country Club.
At least eight street dancing contingents and four floats will be part of the parade with one float dedicated to reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach while the three other floats carry the candidates.
Wurtzbach will lead the contingent of the Miss Universe candidates.
The visit is excepted give the candidates a glimpse of highland culture, historical sites as well as hospitality and give an international exposure to the highlands.
The international beauties will be flown in and out of the city via the Loakan airport with cadets from the Philippine Military Academy welcoming the contestants.
Miss Universe pageant was held in Manila for the first time in 1974, when Miss Universe 1973 Margarita Moran crowned Amparo Muñoz of Spain and in 1994, when India's Sushmita Sen was crowned by Dayanara Torres.
Baguio is among the few areas in the country the beauties will visit as part of the official activities of the 2017 Miss Universe pageant.
Estimated cost for hosting the pageant is expected to reach $11 million, none of which will be shouldered by government but is undertaken by private sector led by Japanese billionaire and Tiger Resort chief Kazuo Okada and the country's richest, Henry Sy.
For the city, main sponsors are the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) and Baguio Country Club (BCC) General Manager Anthony De Leon. (Maria Elena Catajan)