TOURISM Secretary Wanda Teo confirmed Friday, January 13, outgoing Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach will grace the 65th Miss Universe pageant Davao City Ancillary event on January 19 at the SMX Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City.
On the 19th, around 20 to 30 candidates will be visiting Davao City for the Mindanao Tapestry show.
“They (Miss Universe organizers) first said that only 12 candidates will be coming in the city, I reacted. I really pushed for more candidates to be coming here because I want them to see the beauty of Davao,” Teo said in a press conference at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Friday.
Aside from the fashion show, the candidates will be visiting Eden Nature Park in Toril.
There will be 88 candidates fighting for the 65th Miss Universe crown.
Some of the destinations included in the itinerary of the candidates are Boracay, Vigan, Manila, Cebu, Baguio and Batangas. They are also expected to pay a courtesy call with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañan.
Coronation night will be on January 30 at SM Mall of Asia-Arena, Pasay City. American comedian Steve Harvey returns to host the competition.
The 65th Miss Universe pageant will be held in the Philippines for the third time and will be broadcasted live around the world.
“Let us all support this event, let us all watch this as it will take long years before we can host another Miss Universe event here,” Teo said.