The country’s Summer Capital was again in the limelight with the recent visit of some 28 beauty contestants of the world famous Miss Universe pageant which will be hosted by the Philippines by the end of this month. As early as January 10, the 86 beauties from the different parts of the world started arriving in the country to participate in the numerous activities lined up by the organizers of the beauty pageant in the different parts of the country. The coronation is scheduled on January 30, 2017, at the SM Mall of Asia. The city was chosen by the international organizers of the longest running beauty pageant in the global village because of the persistent lobbying of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) to include the city as one of the few areas to visit before the coronation. This is seen as an opportunity for an aggressive promotion of the city by the contestants as a preferred tourist destination in the country today because of its unique weather condition coupled with its scenic environment and peace-loving people.
A controversy arose between the local organizers and city officials on attribution issues on who negotiated the visit of the Miss Universe contestants to the city. It went to the extent of the local government nearly being booted out of the picture as if city officials cannot extend sufficient help for the said visit. Nevertheless, the issues were subsequently ironed out to ensure the success of the visit as a partnership of both the government and the private sector. While it is true that the government cannot shell out public funds for such a major event in a spur of a moment, it can do much to guarantee the smooth flow of events with the active participation of the private sector. Government is always willing to take a few steps back to allow the private sector to do their thing but with the direct and indirect participation of concerned agencies and in this case, it was the local police force, volunteers and the public that proved to be instrumental in the success of the once in a lifetime event in the city. Thousands of people from all walks of life from the different parts of Northern Luzon flocked to the city, lining up along Upper Session Road up to South Drive as early as 6 am Wednesday in strategic positions, to have a closer glimpse of the visiting beauties. Everybody eagerly waited for at least more than five hours along the 3-kilometer parade route before the beauties arrived to boarded the different floats that were prepared for them. Earlier, the contestants were given a warm welcome upon arrival by cadets of the Philippine Military Academy who performed the famous silent drill right on the runway of the Loakan airport. The crowd that was estimated to be over 30,000 gave the visiting beauties the hospitality that Filipinos are known for through their cheers and the waving of the flaglets of different countries as the beauties passed by while the ladies waved back in reply with their sweet smile for the warm welcome.
The overnight stay of the beauties in the city ended with a very tight schedule that even the beauties showed weariness but the warm welcome accorded them kept them going through the various activities were lined up for them right at the premises of the Baguio Country Club which ended with a gala dinner for their patrons.
We salute all of those who contributed their time, effort and resources for the success of the Miss Universe contestants’ visit to our beloved city which might not happen again in the coming several decades. HRAB officers and members deserve the full credit of the successful visit because it was the group that solely shouldered the multi-million hosting fee and other incidental expenses in bringing the beauties to our city. People who had a close glimpse of the visiting beauties will surely remember this momentous occasion that they may treasure for a lifetime. Again, the people of Baguio, including the visitors were able to prove to the international organizers of the Miss Universe that the city is worth. We were able to prove to them that their visit to the city was not a security nightmare as earlier described but it is an experience worth repeating.
We somewhat agree to the revelation of an old-time Baguio resident, Engr. Orly Cuesta, that the Filipinos do not intend to harm visiting beauties but they intend to marry them. In fact, he revealed that the first Miss Universe titlist was courted and got married to a Filipino.
We are optimistic that the good experiences the Miss Universe contestants and the organizers experienced in the city will be of good report to all and definitely a plus-factor in enticing more foreigners to consider this mountain resort city as a must-see destination.
Kudos to one and all for the cooperation, unity, and teamwork that enabled the city to hurdle the challenges of a once-in-a-lifetime event. Congratulations Baguio City!
