MANLA –At least 46 Miss Universe candidates are expected to arrive Manila on Thursday three weeks before the pageant coronation night at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena on Jan 30.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said the ladies will be arriving from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Candidates expected to arrive are from the following countries: 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.
Earlier this week, four candidates also arrived namely bets from US Virgin Islands, Guyana, Brazil, and Sierra Leone.
Over 80 bets are expected to compete in the world’s most prestigious pageant.
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.
The ladies will also be meeting President Rodrigo Duterte in a courtesy call in Malacanang on Jan. 23.