Miss Universe beauties put smiles on the faces of some of the Filipino pageant fanatics at the Department of Tourism luncheon at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City Friday.
Some 20 fans posed for pictures including Sundee Abando, a Miss Universe fan for 21 years, and said, “this is a dream come true for me, I have watched Miss Universe since 1996 and I did not imagine that I would be able to meet them in person.”
Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo took the opportunity to promote the Bring Home A Friend campaign during the event to encourage the beauties to come back to the Philippines and bring a friend with them.
“We encourage our beauty queens to visit again the Philippines for the holiday season and bring over their friends and family with them. Just like Iris, who was crowned here, she came back with the Miss Universe 2017 candidates and her successor Demi-Leigh,” Teo said.
Miss Canada, Lauren Howe said, “It is really an incredible campaign, very creative. I love the message behind it. People should experience the Philippines because of its people and incredible places and I have known that since I was a child because of the Filipino community in Canada.”
DoT’s Bring Home A Friend campaign encourages Filipinos and expatriates to invite their foreign friend to visit the country and win exciting raffle prizes.
“I would definitely recommend my friends to come here. The thing that stood out for me has been the people. The people are so warm, so welcoming and they just share love and happiness.” said Nel-Peters.
The Miss Universe delegation toured Metro Manila Thursday with stops at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park and Fort Santiago in Intramuros.
“I will bring all of my friends so they will understand the woman I am today because of my crowning moment here. I want to know more about the Philippines so I will bring them and go to vacation with them,” Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere said.
Today, Saturday, the title holders will visit Batanes, Bohol, and Camiguin.
