More Miss Universe candidates arrive in PHL on Friday

Over 20 more Miss Universe candidates (Pictured) are expected to arrive in Manila on Friday to attend pre-pageant events leading up to the finals on Jan. 30 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. (Photo: Avito C. Dalan/ PNA)

MANILA –Over 20 more Miss Universe candidates are expected to arrive in Manila on Friday to attend pre-pageant events leading up to the finals on Jan. 30 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said pre-pageant activities will kick off in Boracay on Jan. 14, followed by Vigan on Jan. 15, Cebu on Jan. 17, Baguio on Jan. 18, and Batangas and Davao on Jan. 19.

A Governor’s Ball will also be held in Manila on Jan. 16 and a courtesy call with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on Jan. 23.

Candidates from the following countries are expected to arrive: Austria, Switzerland, Barbados, Germany, Norway, Hungary, Portugal, Paraguay, Croatia, Georgia, Italy, Slovenia, Aruba, Denmark, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Bolivia, Spain, Israel, Colombia, Panaman, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Korea, France, Sweden, and Guam.

Those who arrived earlier today are candidates from Jamaica and Venezuela.

On Thursday, at least 46 candidates arrived including bets from Nicaragua, Canada, Costa Rica, Myanmar, USA, British V1, Mexico, Namibia, Vietnam, Russia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovak Republic, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Uruguay, India, Cayman Island, Great Britain, South Africa, Australia, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Malta, Spain, Turkey, Belize, Curacao, Netherlands, Indonesia, Japan, Peru, China, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Bahamas, Ecuador, Angola, Haiti, Iceland, and Kazakhstan.

Also here early were candidates from US Virgin Islands, Guyana, Brazil, and Sierra Leone.

Over 80 bets are expected to compete in the world’s most prestigious pageant.

The Philippines has hosted the pageant twice, in 1974 and 1994.