Miss Universe Pia Alonzo-Wurtzbach visits the new Department of Tourism Office: Miss Universe Pia Alonzo-Wurtzbach receives a token of appreciation from Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo during the former’s visit at the new DOT Headquarters along Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. in Makati City on Monday (July 18, 2016). In a press conference after their meeting, Secretary Teo said she is grateful for the full support the reigning Miss Universe is giving to DOT’s efforts to host the upcoming Miss Universe contest in the country. “We are really hopeful that President Rodrigo R. Duterte will grant our request, especially now that this undertaking would practically entail no expense on the part of government. More importantly, it would give a big boost to businesses and livelihood of millions of people, in line with our ‘shared tourism’ program,” the DOT Chief said. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA (MABUHAY) – Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach paid a courtesy call on the Department of Tourism on Monday ahead of her meeting at Malacañang with President Rodrigo Duterte.
During her brief visit to the department, Wurtzbach said it has always been her dream to become an ambassador for the Philippines and promote tourism.
“I still continue on pursuing that goal of being a great ambassador as I go throughout my reign, as I visit different countries around the world as Miss Universe. I will continue on doing that,” she said.
The reigning Miss Universe has been consistent in supporting the DOT in its efforts to host the international pageant in the country.
“It’s my personal dream and the dream of a lot of Filipinos that someday we’ll see the Miss Universe pageant to be held here. We are keeping our fingers crossed,” she said.
President Duterte has a selfie with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach after a courtesy call at the Malacanan Palace on Monday. Wurtzbach, representatives of Miss Universe, and Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo discussed the possibility of holding the 2016 Miss Universe in the Philippines. (MNS photo)
While an official announcement on where Miss Universe will be held has yet to be made, Wurtzbach said she will continue to promote the Philippines wherever she goes.
“As I go through my reign, this year and for the years to come—it doesn’t end when I pass on my crown—I will still proudly wear the Philippines wherever I go,” she said.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo earlier said that if the international beauty contest would be held in the country, she wants to have it moved to May instead of January.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Miss Universe 2016 Pia Wurtzbach during a courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday July 18, 2016. (MNS photo)
Teo cited other big events scheduled at the start of the year such as the Chinese New Year celebration and the Sinulog festival.
Teo said that she will begin talking with possible sponsors once it is confirmed that the Philippines is the next host country.
The DOT chief said that the government will need to raise a budget of $12 million (around P560 million) for the event.
The Philippines last hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1994.
For this year’s pageant, the country will be fielding Maxine Medina, a 25-year-old interior designer who has been modelling since 2008. She will attempt to succeed Wurtzbach, the first Filipina to win the title in over four decades. (MNS)