MISS Universe 2017 candidates visited Cebu for the first time yesterday to immerse and witness the beauty and diversity of its environment. The visit is one of the pageant’s ancillary events, which means that these activities do not count in their total pageant score
The visit was purposely for promotional materials, videos and photos of the candidates and also a preview for the pre-pageant competition, which is the swimwear presentation to be held at the JPark Island Resort and Waterpark Cebu, the host resort for the activity.
Ten candidates were expected to arrive at the Mactan Cebu International Airport at around 8 to 9 in the morning but their flight was delayed. Despite the delay, the candidates were still able to continue with their activities having been divided into two groups: Five of them visited Oslob and five proceeded to a press conference scheduled in JPark.
Miss Philippines Maxine Medina, Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane, Miss Vietnam Dang Thi Le Hang, Miss China Li Zhenyeng and Miss New Zealand Tania Pauline Dawson visited Oslob and participated in the town’s whale shark-watching activity in Barangay Tan-awan, said Oslob Municipal Consultant on Information Roger Serna.
“I’m amazed. The whale shark is so big!” Suansane exclaimed.
The candidates went feeding and swimming in their unofficial swimsuits with the whale sharks showing Cebuanos what they should watch out for in the coming swimsuit competition. No comments were made regarding the protests of environmentalists about feeding and swimming with the whale sharks.
After the activity, the candidates immediately proceeded to the airport for their flight back to Manila.
Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun, Miss Japan Sari Nakazawa, Miss Korea Jenny Kim, Miss Malaysia Kiran Jassal and Miss Indonesia Kezia Warouw were at JPark.
The ladies will enjoy week-long tourism activities all over the country. Last Sunday, the 10 contestants, as well as Miss Australia Caris Tiivel and Miss USA Deshauna Barber, enjoyed the waves in Siargao. They toured Manila last Monday.