TOO RISKY – Yes, it would be wonderful if the next Miss Universe pageant is held here. But not this time, please!
It’s too risky.
Look, the war in some places in Mindanao is far from over. Our soldiers are dying. Marawi has yet to be rebuilt.
People are hungry, live in fear.
Can you imagine the damage to the country’s image should – God forbid – something tragic happens while the country is hosting the next Miss Universe?
In the first place, delegates from all over the world will think, twice or thrice or more before coming over.
I don’t have the statistics, but surely the arrival of tourists must have been adversely affected.
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PRUDENCE – So, a reminder to Pia, Rachel, Ariella, Wanda, and Kat: Prudence is the better part of valor.
Let’s be thankful that the last time the Philippines hosted the Miss U pageant, it was successful. Let’s not push our luck too far.
Of course, President Digong Duterte will have the last say on the issue – as Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo has said. This columnist feels he’ll turn it down.
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LUCK – Meanwhile, let’s wish reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Rachel Peters luck. Will she bring home the crown as Pia Wurtzbach did? And before her, as Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran did decades back.
By the way another consideration is the huge expense in mounting Miss Universe. Even if the country is said to be awash with money, a beauty pageant should not be the priority. Rebuild Marawi first…and other communities ruined by the ongoing war.