MU BEAUTIES SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT THEIR VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES

The 4 day visit of Miss Universe beauties concluded last Saturday at a gala night billed as "Women of Significance" at Sofitel-Manila prepared by the Department of Tourism.  

Newly crowned Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and the other beauties including 2016 Miss Universe Iris Mittenare have already left the country last Sunday but three of them stayed behind and flew to Siargao Islands for an extended tour (sponsored by Skyjetair).  They are Kara McCullough (Miss USA), Lauren Howe (Miss Canada) and Samantha Katie James (Miss Malaysia).  Miss Philippines Rachel Peters plays host to the three beauties as they explore the islands.  If you've watched the the 2017 Miss Universe finals, this is the same island that Rachel mentioned in her video profile where she opened her coffee shop.

Siargao Islands is a tear-drop shaped island situated 800 kilometers of Manila in the province of Surigao del Norte.  The island is fast becoming a top tourist destination known for it's surf spots where big international surf contest are held every year.

Beauties share their thoughts on social media:

MISS UNIVERSE 2017 MANIA CONTINUES IN MANILA

(1) Top left: Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.  (2) Top middle picture:  Miss Singapore, Miss USA and Miss Korea.  (3) Top right:  2014 Mr. International Neil Perez and 2017 Miss Universe.   (4) Miss Philippines Universe titleholders (Bianca Manalo-2009, Venus Raj-2010, Mary Jean Lastimosa-2014, Rachel Peters-2017, Shamcey Supsup-2011, Ara Arida -2013 and front girl - Maxine Medina -2016)

Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (photo credit: OMPB Worldwide)

As expected Miss Universe beauties led by the current titleholder Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and 2016 winner Iris Mittenaare enjoys media mileage from the local press and the netizens.  Accordingly, authorities are talking about the possibility of holding the 2018 Miss Universe pageant in country.  In the event that it push through it will be the Philippines' 4th time to host the pageant.  The beauty queens were invited by the Department of Tourism as part of its "Bring Home a Friend to the Philippines" campaign. 

DOT has lined up various activities for the international beauties including visit to some of the country's top tourist island destinations like Batanes, Camiguin and Bohol and a fashion show attended by three Miss Universe titleholders and local beauties was held at Dusit Thani Hotel. To wrap up their tour, a gala night billed as "Women of Significance" is set on the December 9 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila.  

MISS UNIVERSE 2017 DEMI-LEIGH NEL-PETERS VISITS THE PHILIPPINES

Top (reigning Miss Universe is flanked by two former Miss Universe titleholders from France and the Philippines).   Bottom pic- 15 beauties posed for photographers on their visit to Luneta Park in Manila (from left (Canada, Spain, Philippines, USA, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, 2016 Miss Universe, reigning Miss Universe, Russia, Italy, China, the Netherlands, Great Britain and India.  Photos courtesy of Philippine Star

3 Queens: Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mettenaere, Reigning Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach meet the Press at Dusit Hotel.

 

The new Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters has arrived in Manila for a promotional tour in conjunction with the Department of Tourism.  Coming with Peters is last year's winner Iris Mettenaere and 12 of this year's contestants from the following countries: Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Malaysia, China, Spain, Spain, India, Singapore,  Netherlands and the Philippines

Popular contestants like Miss Venezuela, Miss Thailand and Miss Indonesia were expected by pageant fans but for unknown reasons, they have been replaced by non-semi finalists instead. 

Miss Philippines Rachel Peters will join the beauties touring selected places in the countryside like Vigan, Bohol and the whole event will be concluded on December 9 with a Gala Night titled "Women of Significance" at Sofitel in Manila.

FRIENDS OR FOES?

There are unconfirmed reports (or maybe just plain rumors) that Miss Indonesia Universe Bunga Jelitha Ibrani  and Miss Thailand Universe Maria Poonlertlarp Ehren were trained under Jonas Gafud's Aces & Queens, the same group who trained Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, 2013 Miss World Megan Young and the current Miss International Kyle Versoza.

Whether the rumors are true or not, the two ladies are often mentioned as front-runners in the ongoing Miss Universe in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.  They will compete with the Philippines' very own Rachel Louis Peters, who incidentally is the protege of Rodin Gilbert Flores of "Kagandahang Flores" camp.  For those who are not familiar with the local pageant world, the two groups are supposedly rivals in their field as talent scouts. Kagandahang Flores camp beauties includes the current and controversial Miss Earth Karen Ibasco, 2013 Miss International Bea Rose Santiago and Miss Philippines Universe 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa.

Pageant fans are already hyping their respective bets but I am sure Miss Indonesia and Miss Philippines will be friends since they are reportedly roommates.  Rachel Peters mentioned in her previous interviews that she actually lived in Thailand for a while so I am sure she will bond well with Miss Thailand Maria Poonlertlarp Ehren.

Good luck ladies.  GO ASEAN GIRLS!