New Tourism chief junks hosting of Miss Universe; Catriona Gray busy with her training

Despite the good chances of the Philippines hosting the Miss Universe 2018 for the fourth time and the advantage of the country’s representative to the prestigious world renowned beauty pageant, newly appointed Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat nixes the hosting of the said event.

The decision left Filipino beauty pageant fans heartbroken while some camps were rejoicing as Catriona Gray, Miss Universe Philippines representative will have better chances if she competes in other country.

Aside from the fact that the country hosted the pageant only a year ago, Puyat pointed out that the government’s budget constraints and that there were more other issues to address.

It can be recalled that back in April, resigned DOT secretary Wand Teo announced that President Rodrigo Duterte himself floated the idea of holding an event for the prestigious Miss Universe competition on Boracay Island as an effort to boost tourist arrivals after its six-month rehabilitation.

It was also Teo who said in May, during the sidelines of the “World’s Strongest Man” that the country has 90 percent chance of hosting the 67^th Miss Universe pageant and is “almost done deal” with the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).

During the holding of the “World’s Strongest Man,” speculations made rounds that Philippines sealed the deal with MUO when reigning Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa and 2016 Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere of France arrived in Manila with Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach who attended the event.

Meanwhile, Gray hasn’t stop preparing herself since day one she won Miss Universe Philippines and busy attending public appearances.

This month, Catriona’s training will go full swing. An Inquirer article, Gray said, “I’m training with a few different people, each specializing in different aspects: dance, theater, walk, speech, etc.”

While a Preview article mentioned that she is “still putting ideas together with her team for her Miss Universe wardrobe, but she is clear in her direction.

Gray has also reached out to her BB. Pilipinas national costume designer Jearsond Dimavivas for collaboration. Her Maranao costume created such an impact during the nationals that it won her best in national costume.

The last time Miss Universe was held in the Philippines was on January 30, 2017, where Miss France Iris Mittenaere was crowned by no less than Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.