It’s confirmed! The Department of Tourism (DOT) last Thursday confirmed the Philippines will host the next edition of the prestigious Miss Universe pageant.
The Philippines last hosted the Miss Universe tilt in 1994, which crowned Sushmita Sen of India as winner. The country first hosted the pageant in 1974, when Margie Moran relinquished her title to Amparo Muñoz of Spain.
In a press briefing in Manila, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said the pageant will be held on January 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Teo confirmed the government will not spend on the pageant, estimated to cost $11 million, as several individuals and companies from the private sector have expressed interest to sponsor it.
Last week, reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was crowdsourcing for places where she will take the candidates once they set foot in the country. The destinations that were on the top of her mind include Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, Davao, Cagayan de Oro City, Vigan, Bacolod City, and Bohol.
Unfortunately, Bohol was not chosen to host some delegates of the international beauty pageant . Teo  revealed that Vigan, Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Davao and Cagayan de Oro City, the hometown of 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, were chosen as areas for the pre-pageant activities.
Some of our Boholano friends were sad of this news. Sigh, sigh, sigh! But what if, that is a big if, some of Miss U candidates will visit Bohol?
Where in Bohol should you take Miss Universe 2016 bets?
Jeycelle Espejo-Inting- The Chocolate hills, blood compact shrine, man-made forest, Loboc river with a brief show from Loboc Children’s Choir and  Youth Ambassador. Why Choco hills? It’s what we are most known of. I will let them experience the traditional kalamay making in Jagna and the traditional sundang making in Loay town.
Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin-Â I will show them the tourist attractions in Panglao Island and Carmen town.
Phil Malaran Magallano- I will bring them to Panglao which is famous for white-sandy beaches. I will also take them to Carmen, my hometown, to see the world-famous Chocolates Hills.
Van Delima- Anda. It’s pristine.
Ferome Almine- I’ll bring them to the known beauty spots in Bohol such as chocolate hills, beautiful beaches of Panglao and Anda. I’ll bring them to our old stone churches and the places that were devastated by an earthquake so that people all over the world will see how resilient and how Boholanos cope up after a tragedy. I will also bring them to not so known nature scenic spots like falls in Candijay and Dimiao so that it could be an eye opener of everyone that we have many things to offer and it can generate income to all local residents.
Ritchel Mutia- South Palms to experience the beach setting of Bohol.
Tracy Remolador-Torres- I will bring them to Anda. The place holds a vast amount of untouched attractions.
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