MUO Officials to arrive in the Philippines on Friday to discuss hosting of 2017 pageant

DOT Undersecretary Kat de Castro, Secretary Wanda Teo, MUO President Paula Shugart and talent manager Jonas Mercator

MANILA -- Officials from the Department of Tourism (DOT) will meet with organizers of the 2017 Miss Universe pageant on Friday to discuss Manila's possible back-to-back hosting of the pageant. Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro made the announcement during a press briefing on Wednesday. She said members of the Miss Universe Organization will arrive at Manila Friday for the meeting as well as to attend a charity event.

"Pag-uusapan pa lang namin but the good thing about this one is sila mismo ang lumapit sa Department of Tourism if they can have Miss Universe done here in the Philippines," De Castro said. She added that they hope to release an announcement within the month on whether the Philippines will host the pageant anew.

Manila played host for the 65th edition of the prestigious pageant last January. France's Iris Mittenaere won, succeeding Pia Wurtzbach. 

Sources have indicated that the Philippines hosting Miss Universe again is a done deal; and that the final event will take place in Quezon City, Manila, on November 27th morning (November 26th evening in the USA).

With excerpts from ABS-CBN