The much anticipated fashion show of Miss Universe which was slated to be held on January 19 in Davao City has been cancelled. The decision was taken after Davao Fashion and Design Council (DFDC) expressed disappointment that Davao-based designers were not asked to dress the candidates.

The designs which the contestants would have worn during the fashion show were by Batangas-born Renee Salud. A statement from the Davao Fashion and Design Council (DFDC) that aired on TV Patrol on Tuesday, December 13, read: "[The DFDC] expresses its utter disappointment on the explicit disregard of local Davao-based and Mindanaoan designers, in general, at the January 19th event of Miss Universe in SMX Convention Center in Davao City. No consultation among local designers was done by the Miss Universe committee, represented by Renee Salud.” The statement further read, "Adding insult to an injury, is the proposal of the committee to ask local designers in dressing up local models instead..."

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To avoid any further issues and controversies, Department of Tourism (DOT) undersecretary Kat de Catstro in a Facebook statement that they will no longer push through with the show. Her statement read...

 “As head of the ancillary events of the DOT for Miss Universe, I have decided to cancel the fashion show in Davao City. This is to prevent controversies that may arise from the statement made by the local designers of Davao City. Thank you very much.”

Renee Salud said that he never wanted to insult the Davao-based designers, and that he was approached by by DOT Secretary Wanda Teo to do the show. The finale of Miss Universe 2016 is scheduled to be held on 30th January 2017. Pia Wurtzbach will pass on her crown to her successor at the conclusion of the finale.