BAGUIO City hosted a Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) event last week with some of the 48 Miss Universe contestants and their entourages.
This was for the purpose of shooting some pre-pageant events such as the interviews, national costume, swimsuit and evening wear portions of the event as well as the grand finale in Baguio which the MUP will be doing.
The grand finale in particular will be filmed at the Baguio Country Club, though no live audience will be present.
Portions of the pre-pageant photoshoots have also taken place in neighboring La Trinidad at the behest of Benguet Caretaker Eric Go Yap, who saw the photo sessions as a chance to promote Benguet’s tourist destinations such as the La Trinidad Strawberry Fields.
The next batch of candidates are also set to attend photoshoots in La Trinidad and view a Benguet State University cultural presentation.
A bit of controversy cropped up when La Trinidad municipality issued a statement regarding a remark by Baguio Country Club GM Anthony de Leon that the municipality made moves for the candidates to visit the valley after they heard that Baguio would be hosting them.
“We wish to clarify that the LGU-La Trinidad never made any “initiative” to be included in the itinerary…Our participation — which is limited to coordination as regards the scenic spots to be visited and police security assistance thru the LTMPS — was the result of a meeting called by the Office of Benguet Caretaker Congressman Eric Go Yap,” Mayor Romeo Salda.
He said that it was Rep. Yap who included La Trinidad in the photoshoot.
The candidates visited the strawberry fields in Betag and did a bit of harvesting. They also visited Alpha Land Baguio in Itogon.
Given the digital nature of the pageant and the lack of a live audience, viewers are instead enjoined to watch the preliminary interviews, the various dress competitions, and the finale itself on the website empire.ph’s Ring Light series.
The interview portion will premiere on October 21, while the national costume, swimsuit and evening gown portions will follow on October 23.
The finale can be viewed on both GMA-7 and empire.ph on October 25.
The MUP organization has assured that the activities held were performed in adherence to Department of Health protocols, and were conducted in cooperation with local government units.
Members were screened and tested prior to filming in accordance with DOH protocols, and only a limited number of people within the same facility were allowed.
The same procedures and guidelines will be observed in forthcoming activities.
