He’s in for a challenging time.
On Thu, Nov 3, Department of Tourism (DOT) chief Wanda Teo officially announced that the Miss Universe pageant would be held in the Philippines in Jan 2017. She specified that the coronation night will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Jan 30, 2017.
READ: Confirmed: Miss Universe will be held in PH!
“This is one proud moment for all of us, Filipinos, to bear witness to our reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of Cagayan de Oro City as she takes her final walk and passes on her crown to her successor, where else, but in her home country, the Philippines,” Teo stated.
Teo also confirmed one more thing — that American comedian Steve Harvey will reprise his role as host of the pageant.
It may be recalled that Harvey drew flak after he incorrectly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the 2015 Miss Universe and Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach as the first runner-up during last year’s pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Harvey had to take back his announcement and clarify that Wurtzbach was Miss Universe 2015.
It turns out Harvey is on a five-year contract to host the pageant.
Asked by media if Harvey would have a Filipino co-host, Teo said that she would still have to ask the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).
In any case, the DOT earlier assured that the government will not be spending a single centavo since the private sector will be shouldering the pageant’s estimated US$11 million production cost.
The Philippines has hosted the Miss Universe pageant twice before — in 1974 and 1994. —from a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report
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