Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 Maxine Medina (left) and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (GRABBED FROM MEDINA’S FACEBOOK PAGE).
GORGEOUS women from all over the world will be walking down the white powdery sand on a beach in Cebu as Cebu has been chosen to be part of the 21-day itinerary for Miss Universe 2017.
This as the 10-hectare Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark Cebu in Lapu-Lapu City is hosting the international pageant’s swimwear presentation on January 17, a few days before the coronation night.
“This is a chance to showcase Cebu as one of the premiere destinations in the world. This is a once in a lifetime event. Let us not wait what Cebu can do to us but what we can do for Cebu,” shared Justin Uy, the resort’s chairman and president.
All the Miss Universe candidates will be gathered in the resort for the swimsuit preliminary competition, and half of the candidates will be staying overnight at the resort.
For Chief Executive Officer Jason Uy, the hosting of one of the preliminaries is but a great privilege, and a challenge with barely two months before the international beauty tilt.
According to Arthur Lo, corporate liaison officer, it was Friday last week when they received the official confirmation from the Department of Tourism.
“It (being chosen as the chosen host resort) was not something automatic, it was a tedious process,” shared Lo during the event launch last Monday
before the Cebu press and bloggers.
He said a team went around the island to pick the resort that will perfectly fit to host the Miss Universe 2017 swimwear presentation.
“When talks about the possible hosting of Miss Universe here in the Philippines came about, we immediately contacted our local tourism office and in Manila because we feel that this is just once in a lifetime opportunity for the country. We want to support our tourism,” said Lo.
He added that the resort would spend more than $1 million for the improvements of the hotel in time for the hosting of the one-day event.
Plans of the 10-hour event have yet to be finalized.
According to Lo, aside from the swimsuit presentation, they are looking into a fashion show that will feature creations by local designers.