STELLA Marquez Araneta with Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman. (FB photo)
Stella Marquez Araneta, chairperson of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., said Thursday that the Miss Universe Philippines franchise remains with the BPCI, finally breaking her silence that it has been transferred to another group.
“It is still with us,” said Araneta during the press send-off for Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Karen Gallman at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
Gallman will represent the country in the Miss Intercontinental 2018 beauty pageant hosted by the Philippines on Jan. 26.
Araneta said that she bonded with officials of Miss Universe Organization headed by its president Paula Shugart when Filipino-Australian Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand last Dec. 17.
“I was with the people of Miss Universe in this trip. I have bonded with them for so many years,” she added. “If some people are saying something else, let them talk about it.”
Rumors have said that the Luis Chavit Singson Group of Companies led by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson has acquired the franchise of the Miss Universe Philippines beauty pageant. Another rumor has said that it also has been offered to RS Francisco, president of FrontRow, a network marketing industry in the country.
Pageant fans believed that the rumor was for real when Gray arrived in Manila on board the private plane of Singson last Dec. 19.
Singson has opened up about the rumors. He revealed that the Miss Universe Philippines franchise has indeed been offered to his company by the MUO based in New York City.
He said that the offer was made after the franchise agreement between the MUO and the BPCI expired recently.
“Pinag-iisipan ko pa. Pinag-aaralan ko pa,” said Singson. “Dahil baka dagdag trabaho iyan. Hindi kagaya yung sponsor, hindi masyadong ma-trabaho.” (Robert R. Requintina)