Search for Pia Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe successor a go on Jan. 30, says Chavit Singson
MISS Universe, the beauty pageant founded in 1952 that is held in more than 190 countries worldwide and seen by at least half a billion people annually, is set to return to the Philippines on Jan. 30, to look for the successor of current Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
(The pageant was last held in the country in 1994, when India’s Sushmita Sen succeeded Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico. The Philippines was represented by Charlene Gonzales, who placed sixth.)
This we learned from former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson when we, along with the officers of Speed (Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors) led by its president Isah Red, chatted with the 75-year-old businessman-politician in Vigan last July 30.
Singson is also in the process of taping episodes (seven, so far) for his 13part “Happy Life” show, which will air weekends in a network that has yet to be announced.
Our easygoing chat with the “quotable” Singson, in all his no-holdsbarred candor, was made more fascinating by his unexpurgated answers, so we’ll just let him do the talking:
If plans push through, when will the Miss Universe pageant be staged in Manila?
The Miss Universe pageant will be held in the Philippines on a Monday, Jan. 30, next year. I’ve been coordinating with businessmen and friends like Tonyboy (Cojuangco) and the Sys (of SM) to raise about $12 million for the pageant, so the government doesn’t have to spend a single cent for it.
After Donald Trump sold his rights to the franchise, the Miss Universe group sought my help, and we began preparing for it before the May elections.
We’ll probably not earn anything, but I don’t mind losing money for this venture, because it’ll be a good adver- tisement for the Philippines—besides, it’s the biggest beauty pageant in the world.
Formality na lang ang kulang— President Duterte has already agreed in principle, especially after the setup was explained to him by Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo.
We already have the support of establishments like SM, Solaire, Resorts World Manila and the City of Dreams. Planes and buses are ready to take the candidates around the country, and our group has just bought a yacht from Monaco that can accommodate about 200 passengers.
It was supposed to be on Jan. 29 (a Sunday), but a lot of businessmen asked us to move it a day later, after the Chinese New Year (on Jan. 28), and before the NFL Super Bowl, the biggest sporting event in the US, on Feb. 5.
Yes, it’s true—it will be hosted again by the same guy who made that announcement blunder, Steve Harvey.
Is Manny Pacquiao really returning to boxing via his fight with Jessie Vargas on Nov. 5? Won’t that affect his work in the Senate?
Yes, he’s returning to the ring. There are many boxers who want to fight him, but Manny deserves only the best opponent. It won’t affect his work in the Senate that much, because he’ll only be training for two months.
He really doesn’t want to fight, but it seems everybody wants him to fight again—even some of his colleagues in the Senate want a fighting senator in their midst.
A rematch with ( Floyd) Mayweather is unlikely to happen, because he’s scared of a rematch. Last time they fought, it was touch and go— Floyd kept running [ away from Manny].
Why have you decided to host “Happy Life”? What is the show about?
I want to encourage people with money to share their blessings with those who have nothing in life. My children will get their inheritance, but I’ll give the rest to the people, kasi ’pag namatay ako (if I die), I can’t take my wealth with me.
Besides, baka pag-aagawan lang ’yan (they’ll just fight over it).
Was he the matchmaker who introduced Vina Morales to her current beau, French businessman Marc Lambert?
Marc has a number of business ventures here in the country. They met at my house when I invited them over for dinner—and they’ve been together since.
Did he really intend to buy GMA 7?
Yes, but my intention to acquire it didn’t push through, because GMA 7 stocks soared after the AlDub team “exploded.” But my offer still stands.