President Duterte is set to meet the candidates of the 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Malacañang tomorrow, the Department of Tourism said yesterday.
Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre confirmed that the Miss Universe candidates will have a courtesy call with the President at 2 p.m.
“Pinaghandaan ‘yan at nagpapasalamat nga kami sa mga staff ni Pangulong Duterte na naghanda pa ng lunch para sa ating mga kandidata,” Alegre said in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan.
He added that the candidates, since their arrival in the country, have been expressing their desire to meet the President. “’Pag Wednesday, Cabinet meeting ‘yan pero talagang napagbigyan niya ang request na makilala ng mga Miss Universe candidates siya at ‘yan ay magaganap po sa Lunes,” Alegre said.
According to Alegre, they are now making arrangements to enable the candidates to take pictures and even selfies with the President.
The Tourism official reaffirmed earlier reports that Duterte would be attending the Miss Universe coronation at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on January 30. Duterte will be sitting beside Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.
“Pinaghahandaan na rin natin ‘yan, ang pagdalo ni Pangulong Duterte sa Miss Universe sa January 30, 8 in the morning,” he said.
Alegre recalled how the DoT strived to have the Miss Universe in the Philippines after more than two decades.
“Binanggit po ni (Under) Secretary Kat de Castro na sa dahilan kung bakit natin pinush ito kay Pangulong Duterte at sa mga organizing committee ay because ito ay makakatulong sa pag-angat ng turismo at maibalik sa awareness ng mundo ang Pilipinas,” he said.
“Marami pong mga lugar na dati nang ayaw magpunta dito. Ngayon eh gumaganda na ang relasyon ng Pilipinas sa mga bansang ito dahil kay Pangulong Duterte.” (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)