Miss Universe Philippines candidates coming to Baguio and Benguet
Miss Universe Philippines candidates will visit Baguio City and Benguet province this month, Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas confirmed on October 6, at a meeting of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force of Covid-19.
Last month, Benguet Congressional District Representative Eric Go Yap posted a photo of himself with Miss Universe Philippines Organization Creative Director Jonas Gaffud on Facebook, with the caption: "Something BIG is coming to Benguet! Abangan".
This raises speculations from netizens. Some have speculated that Benguet province will host Miss Universe Philippines this year.
Miss Universe Philippines candidates will hold photoshoot events in Baguio and Benguet
More than fifty Miss Universe Philippines candidates are scheduled to visit Baguio City and Benguet Province on October 15 and 16, 2020. The said visit of the aspiring beauty queens in the province is an initiative of Benguet Caretaker and ACT Partylist Representative Eric Go Yap.
Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas said the candidates will have a photoshoot event at various famous tourist spots in La Trinidad, such as the strawberry fields, Mt. Costa, and including the provincial capitol. Candidates are also scheduled to visit parts of Baguio City and a cultural show will be held on the night of October 16.
The governor added that the photoshoot event aims to promote the province and help the economic growth of Benguet.
Baguio-Benguet folks are not happy with the visit of Miss Universe Candidates
Although Governor Diclas assured the public that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been coordinated to ensure that health protocols are followed, the people of Baguio and Benguet do not really want visitors.
A Facebook user shared her opinion:
HUH!!? Exempt sila dahil sinabi ni Eric Yap? Samantalang mga APOR residents of Benguet who work in other provinces, ibaga yu nga "encourage not to go home"??! Kalokoan daytan. Uto-uto tayo na lang talagan nga i-Benguet nu kasta. Apay nga masapul mapan La Trinidad dagita nga beauty pageant participants? Special da unay? Haan da nga agruprupa nga tao???
Another said:
For real?? I dont think this is really necessary and essential. Its disappointing. ?
And another:
I just hope walang special treatment in terms of protocol upon entry sa city and the province
Another Facebook user shared his frustration:
Kaming mga nastranded s ibang lugar gustong umuwi ng Benguet eh nahihirapang makapasok ng Benguet tapos cla ganun ganun lng
Another Facebook user added:
Locals can promote the province. No need of beauty queens.
Two Cordillerans are among the official candidates for Miss Universe Philippines 2020
Miss Universe Philippines announced in February the official candidates who will compete for the crown and have the opportunity to represent the country at the 2020 Miss Universe pageant.
Two of the official candidates are from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and will represent Baguio City and Kalinga Province.
Ms. Bea Theresa Maynigo from Pangasinan, a Saint Louis University graduate, will represent Baguio City.
While 22-year-old Noreen Victoria Mangawit is the representative of Kalinga in Miss Universe Philippines 2020. Noreen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Major in Economics and a Minor in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Baguio.
UPDATE: Baguio City to host Miss Universe Philippines 2020 online coronation
Baguio City will host pageant activities and virtual competition of Miss Universe Philippines 2020. Miss Universe Philippines coronation night was originally scheduled for May 3 but was moved to June 14 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was postponed again and was later moved on October 25th.
At a press conference on Tuesday, October 13, pageant organizers announced that 48 participants will stay at the Baguio Country Club from October 15-25.
Participants of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 will arrive in Baguio in batches in the next two days and participate in photoshoots at the designated tourist areas in Benguet.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas assured that contestants and organizers will strictly undergo border and triage protocols before entering the province.
The Miss Universe Philippines is a beauty pageant and organization in the Philippines that selects the country's representative at the Miss Universe pageant.
All candidates will uphold the pageant slogan "Beautiful Transformation, Beyond the Coastline, and Inspiring Women with Action".
The current holder of Miss Universe Philippines is Gazni Ganados of Talisay, Cebu who was crowned on June 9, 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
