By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo / Special to the BusinessMirror
CHIEF executives of private companies, lawmakers and members of the diplomatic community in Manila attended Monday’s Governor’s Ball, a side event of the Miss Universe beauty pageant, to raise funds for a humanitarian cause.
BusinessMirror sources said the VIPs paid anywhere from P18,000 to P35,000 per plate to celebrate 86 of the most beautiful women in the universe—all gorgeous and dressed elegantly—as they posed, paraded, and were introduced one by one onstage at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Each of the candidates shared a table with many of the VIPs, which numbered 1,800, and were served Filipino-inspired dishes from a trim menu served by Via Mare.
Beneficiary of the fund-raising event is Pass It Forward Foundation, the official philanthropic arm of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), according to a news statement from the Department of Tourism. According to the PIF web site, its projects are in the areas of education, the environment, health, shelter, wildlife protection, and disaster relief (www.passitforward.com)
In a news statement, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo formally opened the evening’s program narrating the difficulties of getting to host the Miss Universe. “When we started negotiations for the Philippine hosting of the Miss Universe pageant in Manila, as soon as I started work with the DOT, there was one simple goal— to show the universe the best of our country, most particularly Filipino showmanship and hospitality.”
The coronation night will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 30.
“Miss Universe 2016 in the Philippines will be our country’s crowning glory for many, many years with lasting memories and friendship of the candidates and families and friends with Filipinos,” Teo added.
For her part, MUO President Paula Shugart said she was impressed with the level of participation in the activities surrounding the beauty pageant. “Every day and night of activities here are getting better organized and better participated in…. It’s an amazing Miss Universe 2016, and we join everyone in being proud for your accomplishments here, where we have the largest fan base. It will be with a heavy heart to bid farewell,” she said.
With the women dressed in their elegant gowns and the men in their crisp tuxedos, they listened to former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” C. Singson express his thanks to local and foreign partners, along with the support of the MUO, in staging a successful Miss Universe pageant in the country. Singson owns the LCS Group, which is the official presenter and main sponsor of the beauty pageant.
Terry Allan Farris, managing director of PIF, also thanked the VIP guests in “creating a positive social movement to inspire everyone to pass kindness forward. Everyone has capacity to give with accountability and transparency.”
One VIP guest observed that the candidates seemed to be very hungry and thirsty as they arrived at the event. “[The candidate with us] downed two bottles of water immediately. They probably have a very hectic schedule.”
Foreign security aides were also seen moving around the venue, making sure the candidates were all safe. “No alcohol was served,” said a BusinessMirror source, “to ensure the girls would not be disrespected, I guess. And the organization was very strict; by 9 p.m., all the girls stood up and went home.”
Hosted by VJ Joey Mead-King, the Governor’s Ball was a feast for the senses, featuring different audio-visual presentations on Philippine tourist destinations, along with performances from marching bands, an international winning hip-hop dance group, and the Madrigal Singers, among others.
The 65th Miss Universe is a collaborative effort between the DOT and the private sector, which include SM Lifestyle, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corp., Okada Manila, Solar Entertainment Television, PLDT, the National League of Governors, the Metro Manila League of Mayors, J Park Resort in Cebu, and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio.