Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace
January 23, 2017
“…Never in my life I have been with a room full of beautiful women. This is either privilege and an honor and I hope that this day will never end,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte when he received the candidates of the 65th Miss Universe Competition and the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) in a ceremonial presentation held at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace.
The President thanked the MUO for allowing the Philippines to host this year’s pageant. “It is an event which has undeniably brought enormous pride and joy for the countries of winning candidates,” he said.
He also expressed his confidence to the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other public and private partners who “have prepared well enough to make this event to remember.”
At the end of his message, President Duterte asked the international beauties and the MUO members present to accept the country’s “modest hospitality” and warmest welcome.
Joining the President during the event was DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo.
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