• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Miss Universe Philippines – Negros Occidental pageant will be held for the first time in Bacolod City in November this year.
A contract signing for the staging of the event was held yesterday at Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City between Jonas Gaffud, president and CEO of Miss Universe Philippines; Mags Cue, director for national search; Arnold Mercado, director for local and Asia Pacific search; and Kashmere Granada, local director.
Granada yesterday said this is a momentous opportunity for all the beautiful women of Negros to have a chance to shine in the national stage and make a difference, as well as represent the very best of what our province has to offer.
The screening of candidates will be held in Bacolod on August, and everyone from Negros is welcome to join. The time and place are yet to be announced, she said, adding that the winner of the competition in November will be made to undergo special training.
Mercado said that in 2020, when they acquired the franchise of Miss Universe, the first winner was Miss Iloilo and the second winner was Miss Cebu. So there are a lot of potentials in the Philippines that they should tap, not only in Manila.
Gaffud, meanwhile, advised potential candidates that they should have the right attitude and have the right heart to really give back to the community. In everything you do in life you have to work hard and make sure your heart is on the right path.*
