It looks like the next Miss Universe pageant can happen in the Philippines.
President Rodrigo Duterte has “approved in principle” the Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Wanda Teo’s proposal to have the country host the next Miss Universe pageant.
“Teo, in a statement released Thursday, said that the President has agreed with her plans to bring back the global event to the country, which she said will greatly benefit the local tourism industry,” reports ABS-CBN News.
READ: Pia to meet with President Duterte for Miss Universe plans
But there’s a catch.
Teo also told ABS-CBN News that if the pageant would held in the Philippines, she wants the event to be moved to May instead of January.
She said other big events will happen at the start of the year — such as the Chinese New Year celebration and the Sinulog festival in Cebu — and they won’t have enough time to prepare for the pageant.
If they want Pia Wurtzbach to crown her successor in the Philippines, the 2016 Miss Universe pageant winner will be crowned on May 2017.
You can see how that may not work, right?
If the plans do push through, Teo said they want segments of the pageant to be not just in Manila but also in Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu, to showcase the country’s tourist spots.
They’re also ready to raise the funds for the pageant. Teo is estimating the budget to reach around P560 million, so they will begin talking to sponsors once the Philippines is the confirmed host of the next Miss Universe.
If ever, this will be the third time the Miss Universe pageant will be held in the Philippines.
The 23rd Miss Universe was held at the Folk Arts Theater on July 1974.
The Philippines also hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1994.
Maxine Medina will represent the Philippines in the 65th Miss Universe pageant.
LOOK: 8 winning photos of Bb Pilipinas 2016 winner Maxine Medina
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