BAGUIO CITY—Some 30 contestants participating in the Miss Universe pageant in Manila will be visiting the country’s summer capital, nestled 1,524 meters above sea level, before the coronation night in Metro Manila next January.
Anthony de Leon, general manager of the Baguio Country Club and president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, said the visiting beauties will be selected by the Miss Universe organizers and will stay in the city for less than 24 hours—seen by old hands as an added international exposure for the city to boost its local tourism industry.
“The city’s private sector will shell out at least P15 million to be paid to the Miss Universe organizers aside from the expenses for their food, transportation and accommodation just to bring the contestants to the city for various activities lined up by the local organizers led by executives of the Baguio Country Club,” De Leon said.
The initial activities for the Miss Universe contestants and reigning Miss Universe titlist Pia Wurtzbach include a golf tournament, tree planting and fashion show to maximize their stay in the city.
According to him, since the time the Duterte administration announced the Philippines will host the Miss Universe beauty pageant next year, officials of the city’s only exclusive club had been making representations directly with the Miss Universe organizers and the Tourism department to lobby that Baguio will be included as part of the itinerary of the beauty pageant contestants.
He admitted it took them several negotiations and lobbying before the Miss Universe organizers were convinced to include Baguio in the list of places to be visited.
De Leon claimed the security during the visit would be tight, the reason organizers wanted to confine them to a limited area during their tour at the Philippine Military Academy, Camp John Hay, BCC and the Presidential Mansion.
He said the date of their visit was still being arranged.
De Leon explained there were many lawmakers and local governments who submitted proposals to the Miss Universe organizers.
The Miss Universe contestants will be arriving here by a chartered flight, courtesy of the local organizers.
