2016 Miss Universe is now officially on!! The kick-off party slated for 10th December 2016, has finally concluded and the event was graced by the reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach along with 11 other contestants from the 2016 batch.
According to Miss Universe President Paula Shugart, it is “a dream come true” to finally host the pageant in the Philippines. Everybody looked excited as the kick-off party marked the beginning of this edition of the pageant. The reigning queen Pia Wurtzbach also shared her excitement and said that she is “grateful” that the pageant is happening in her country.
“It’s not only a dream of Paula’s, a dream of the Miss Universe organization but also a dream of mine to bring back the competition here, and to show the world how beautiful the Philippines is,” the 2015 queen said. “And it would really be great if I can finally have a proper walk on stage in no less than in my home country of course.”
The delegates who made it to the welcome party were - Miss Australia Caris Tiivel, Miss Indonesia Kezia Warouw, Miss Japan Sari Nakazawa, Miss Korea Jenny Kim, Miss Malaysia Kiran Jassal, Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun, Miss New Zealand Tania Pauline Dawson, Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane, Miss Vietnam Dang Thi Le Hang, and Miss USA Deshauna Barber. Miss Philippines Maxine Medina also joined the visiting candidates.
Miss China Li Zhenying couldn’t make it to the kick-off party, but will join the rest of the girls in the week long touring activities scheduled. The event was hosted by Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup and actor Benjamin Alves. Philippine Department of Tourism secretary Wanda Teo and Undersecretary Kat De Castro also made it to the event.
The finale of Miss Universe 2016 is scheduled to be held on 30th January 2017, and Pia Wurtzbach will crown her successor at the conclusion of the event. Who do you think will win the title this year?