Miss Universe 2017 set to arrive in PH

Newly crowned Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa will be visiting the Pearl of the Orient Seas, along with Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere of France and several pageant ladies, according to the Miss Universe Organization. (Photo: Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters/Facebook)

After ascending the throne, newly crowned Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa will be visiting the Pearl of the Orient Seas, along with Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere of France and several pageant ladies, according to the Miss Universe Organization.

In a string of social media posts, the organization said Nel-Peters and other contestants’ of this year’s Miss Universe are going to the Philippines to join the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Women of Significance Gala Night and a Miss Universe fashion show sponsored by FrontRow Enterprise Philippines.

“It’s happening… The reigning #MissUniverse Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, #MissUniverse 2016 Iris Mittenaere and some of this year’s contestants are heading to the Philippines!,” the pageant said in an Instagram post.

“They’re looking forward to the incredible hospitality of Department of Tourism – Philippines, seeing some of the 7,107 Islands, being a part of DOT’s Women Of Significance Gala Night, and the #MissUniverse Fashion Show,” the post read.

Meanwhile, the DOT announced the activities lined up for the visit of Miss Universe 2017 and other candidates.

Nel Peters, together with Mittenaere and the ladies from Italy, Canada, Netherlands, Russia, Great Brittaon, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Korea, China, and USA will be stepping their feet in the country on December 5 and will be staying here until December 10.

In a press conference on Monday, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo cited the activities that would be part of their tour.

Teo said that there will be a Manila tour on December 6, followed by a press conference and a welcome dinner. On December 7, a charity ball and the DOT Christmas party will take place, while a Philippine tour to Batanes, Bohol and Camiguin will happen on December 8. Lastly, a Gala night at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on December 9.

The first of many activities for the Miss Universe 2017 will be the Manila leg.

Demi-Leigh was the second Miss Universe to bring home the crown to South Africa. Margaret Gardiner first bagged the crown in 1978.

Aside from these ladies, the country’s bet Rachel Peters, who landed in the Top 10 finalists, will also be attending in the said activities.