• A statement released by the Miss Universe organization affirms that their partnership with BPCI still continues
• Without the support of Singson and LCS group and Richelle Singson, the dream of the Philippines in hosting the Miss Universe pageant would not have come to reality
• But according to MUO, Singson and his LCS group will still continue in supporting their future plans with BPCI

On Sunday, February 4, the Miss Universe Organization confirmed that its local franchise still belongs to the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI).

MJ Felipe, an ABS-CBN news reporter, posted on Twitter a statement released by the Miss Universe Organization stating that the partnership with BPCI will continue. It has been over five decades that Stella and Jorge Araneta and the BPCI have established their relationship with the Miss Universe Organization.

“We plan to continue working with the Araneta Group on the Binibini pageant while seeking to modernize and grow the brand into more than a one day special,” MUO stated.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuRf3AAnBqk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In recent years, Governor Chavit Singson has worked with the Miss Universe Organization on a variety of projects including the great success for the Miss Universe 2016.

Without the support of Singson and LCS group and Richelle Singson, the dream of the Philippines on hosting the Miss Universe would not have come to reality.

Now, rumors has spread that former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson has been in talks to hold the local franchise of the beauty pageant. But according to MUO, he and his LCS group will still continue in supporting the future plans with BPCI.

READ: Official statement of Miss Universe Organization re the Miss Universe Philippines franchise still with BPCI (Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc). pic.twitter.com/FIe5OU4vfx

— MJ Felipe (@mjfelipe) February 24, 2019

“Prior to the final night in June, Governor Chavit Singson will welcome all of the Binibining contestants in historic Vigan, just as he did with the Miss Universe contestants in 2017. We look forward to the collaboration and innovation to bring an exciting future to Miss Universe Philippines and our beloved fans in the country,” the statement said.

• Catriona chose Maymay Entrata by saying, “Kind of a goofball, a little bit like me.”
• “When it comes around, it would be nice to also consider some up-and-coming actresses. It would be nice to see who would best fit me also, right?”
• “Good luck in everything, Maymay. I-lava walk na lang natin ‘yan. Abangan,” Buendia said in an Instagram post

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was asked, before winning the competition, that if given a chance to feature her life story on ABS-CBN’s drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” who she would like to portray her.

Catriona chose Maymay Entrata by saying, “Kind of a goofball, a little bit like me.”

During Gray’s Miss Universe homecoming to the Philippines, she was interviewed by the ABS-CBN newsman Mario Dumaual. Catriona was asked again if she is still open to the idea of Entrata portraying as the her in her life story on “MMK.”

The reigning Miss Universe was still consistent with her answer. Before winning the competition, until now, she still wants Maymay Entrata would portray her.

“I wouldn’t really oppose it. I mean, she’s a very humble girl. I’ve met her twice and she is very, very sweet,” she said.

But according to her “there has been no discussions yet for MMK” yet she admires Entrata, stressed the beauty queen.  However, she is also open to having other actresses portraying her life story.

“We’ll see. When it comes around, it would be nice to also consider some up-and-coming actresses. It would be nice to see who would best fit me also, right? I would like to meet the other girls also,” she said.

Rumors spread when shoe designer Jojo Bragais and trainer Carlos Buedia posted their own photo on Instagram with Maymay Entrata. Both were part of Catriona’s team who helped her win the Miss Universe 2018 crown.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAIe2inMrm/?utm_source=ig_embed

“Good luck in everything, Maymay. I-lava walk na lang natin ‘yan. Abangan!,” Buendia said in an Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt5d-5SH5to/?utm_source=ig_embed

• Her main advocacy is focusing on world peace – achieving world peace by starting with young children  by providing them proper education on nonviolent communication
• Katarina emphasized that she doesn’t have to share her work on social media
• Pia likewise said the she doesn’t have to post everything on social media to please everyone

During her reign as the Miss World Philippines 2018, Katarina Rodriguez’s main advocacy was focus on world peace -achieving world peace by starting with young children by providing them proper education on nonviolent communication.

The beauty queen was hit by a netizen, who criticized her for being silent about the recent bombing incident in Mindanao. “Di ba, advocacy mo sa Miss World is peace education? Anong masasabi mo sa recent bombings in Mindanao?,” the netizen wrote.

“Bakit tahimik ka na ngayon? Dahil ba tapos na ang Miss World at clapper ka? Kalowka.”

In her response, the Miss World Philippine 2018 titlist emphasized that she doesn’t have to share her work on social media, all the time.

“I don’t need to promote the meetings I have, of [the] work I do 24/7,” she said. “Before Miss World or any pageant for that matter, I was already involved but never posted on social media. I don’t need to show everything I do on social media or be active on IG all the time.”

But the netizen was disappointed of the lack of response on Katarina’s part with the recent incident.

“The irony. So, you don’t post or IG story your so-called charity works, but mga kabebehan, mo pinopost mo,” he said. “Now is the right time to use your voice, queen. Don’t get me wrong. I’m one of your fans pero nakaka-disappoint lang.”

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach also faced the same criticism as Katarina Rodriguez when she was also questioned of not doing her advocacy. Pia posted a long message on her Instagram for critics who accused her of not doing her duties as an HIV/AIDS advocate and for not persistently posting on social media.

“Just to get some things straight. I haven’t forgotten about my advocacy, okay? I’m so tired of people complaining that I haven’t found “the cure” for HIV when clearly I said I would raise awareness. I’m not magically gonna come up with a potion that cures everything,” Pia wrote.

Being crowned in front of the people, Pia asked if they really understood her answer to the final question during the Miss Universe competition.

“I said I would raise awareness. Putting the spotlight on it so we can start talking about it. Just like during the competition, I wasn’t posting my everyday pageant activities and that has upset a lot of fans. They thought I wasn’t doing any effort.”

Just like Katarina Rodriguez, Pia also said the she doesn’t have to post everything on social media to please everyone.

• Catriona Gray clarified that she is Miss Philippines and does feel like she’s a Filipina.
• She added that she doesn’t blame Australia’s excitement after she won the beauty pageant. 

There has been a debate about whether Catriona Gray should be considered as Miss Australia or Miss Philippines.

READ: ‘An Australian won Miss Universe’, Aussie media outlets report about Catriona

In an interview with the American show Build Series, she set the record straight as some Australians have been claiming her as their own after she won the Miss Universe 2018 beauty pageant.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsbgq6NAhIX/

“I am Miss Philippines,” she stated.

“I really feel like I’m a Miss Philippines. I feel like a Filipina, a Filipino woman. It’s just so happens that when I was growing up, I was very much of an Australian. And I think you can be both because I did grow up with those two sides of the world. I thought it was funny that there was this war, like, ‘No, she’s ours, she’s practically Miss Australia.’ But I am a Miss Philippines.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsVs_7Hgrs3/

Despite the arguments, she added that she actually doesn’t mind Australia’s happiness upon her win.

“I can’t blame them for being excited, from really feeling the high spirits of the season, too. So we’ll let them have that.”

READ: “Well done!” Miss World congratulates Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

Miss Universe 2018 is currently in New York City, attending media interviews and appearing in several television shows in America.

• Salvador Panelo said that the President will sign any bill that will make the use of medical marijuana legal.
• It was asked after Miss Universe Catriona Gray was asked about her stand regarding the matter.

In a media briefing held Tuesday, December 18, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo stated that President Rodrigo Duterte will sign any bill that will result to the legalization of the use of medical marijuana in the country.

He said that the president is in favor of the use of the drug and will support any legislative measure consistent with his stand.

“He’s in favor of limited use of marijuana.

“Logically then he will support and sign any bill that would be consistent with his stand.”

The topic was back in the spotlight after Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray addressed her stand regarding the issue in the Q&A portion of the pageant.

“I’m for it being used in a medical use but not so for recreational use,” she answered.

“Because I think if people were to argue ‘What about alcohol and cigarettes?’ Well everything is good but in moderation.”

View this post on Instagram

When I was 13, my mum told me "Honey, I dreamt of you winning @missuniverse in a red dress." At that time I thought nothing of it, and today my mother's dream came true. ✨ Where do I even begin? Lord God, I lift everything up to you – to glorify and honour you. 🙏 Philippines 🇵🇭 what an amazing honor it has been to carry your name across my chest and to embody you in all aspects. I may now carry the sash of Miss Universe, but I'll forever be your Miss Philippines. ❤️💙💛 To my team @carlosbuendiajr @bragaisjojo @mitagray @binibiningnicolecordoves @jololuarca @justine.aliman19 @ton_lao @vheecostyle @francischee_ @styledbypatrickhenry @visionerickson @ardelpresentacion @mackycombe @harleybarleyyy @jellyeugenio @hairbybrentsales @memayfrancisco @mimsqiu @momoisupe @tesserajewelry @maktumang @jearsond @theaiveeclinic @empiredentallounge @jed_jimenez I wouldn't have been able to do any of this with all your time, effort and love 💛 #MissUniverse @missuniverse

A post shared by Catriona Gray (@catriona_gray) on Dec 17, 2018 at 5:36am PST

When asked about the newly-crowned Miss Universe’s answer, Panelo said that she could have been “influenced by the President’s decision on that matter” or could have been her own conclusion because “she listened to the pros and cons of the matter.”

In September 2017, the House Bill No. 6517 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act was approved. It seeks to legalize the use of medical marijuana.

• Miss Albania experienced an airport mishap as she had no cash to pay for the excess baggage fee on the way home from the Miss Universe 2018 competition.
• Her fans chipped in their money to pay for her fee so that she can take all of her stuff home.

Miss Universe Albania Trejsi Sedjini was one of the trending candidates of the 67th Miss Universe.

When she was on her way back to Albania on Wednesday, December 19, she really wanted to take home the gifts that her Thai fans gave her. But there was one problem: she didn’t have enough money to pay the baggage fee.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrXqf4uhggR/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrVTHGxh5M8/

Her Thai supporters found out about her situation while she was at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. They decided to help her and contribute their own money to pay the THB 5,225 excess baggage fee.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq6bESJB0VJ/

Korakot Mussamont Chansiri, who was one of Sedjini’s supporters at the airport, shared the story of the Albanian beauty queen.

She said that while Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was boarding a private plane, Miss Albania was opening her suitcase to see what she can leave behind.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Brkt54mh42M/

The beauty queen thanked her Thai fans via a post on Instagram. “Thank you my Thai fan for making me happy. Thank you for the support, the gifts and the love that you share everyday for me. You all are so real and lovely,” she wrote as a caption.

• Angela Ponce expressed her adoration towards Catriona Gray and the Philippines.
• Two months before the coronation night, Gray expressed her stand on the topic of transwomen being a part of Miss Universe.

Miss Spain 2018 expressed her gratitude towards the newly crowned Miss Universe, Catriona Gray and her supporters in the Philippines.

In a tweet dated December 19, Angela Ponce congratulated Gray and complimented her. “She is beautiful she is a very kind girl I’m very happy for you Cat,” Ponce wrote.

She also said that she loves the Philippines and the fans that always supported her.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrSWLDRHY6R/

She is the first ever transgender woman to compete in the prestigious beauty pageant. As this generated mixed reactions from netizens, Grey has shown her full support and defended the transgenders.

“I’m open to it, because individually, I see beauty queens more than a physical aspect.

https://twitter.com/angelaponceof/status/1075072751331889152

“We represent something — that has to be what we’re there for. And she has a purpose. She is that voice for the transgender community.

“If she can further educate people about what are the needs of the transgender community to get us to be more compassionate towards them… I have close friends who are transgender, so I’ve heard their experiences, and there is a lot of work to be done in how we come towards them.”

• Beauty queens expressed their opinions about the inclusion of transgender women at the Miss Universe.
• Winwyn Marquez, Maxine Medina, and Gloria Diaz are against the idea, while Catriona Gray showed support. 

The topic of transgender women joining beauty pageants has been re-opened after Miss Spain 2018, Angela Ponce, successfully became a part of the Miss Universe 2018.

She was acknowledged as the first ever transgender contestant of the competition by honoring her with her own segment during the coronation night. After the preliminary rounds, the 27-year-old said that it was an honor and pride to be part of the pageant.

“I don’t need to win Miss Universe. I only need to be here,” she said in the video.

View this post on Instagram

Que honor y orgullo poder ser parte de la historia de @missuniverse. Esto es por ustedes, por aquellos que no tienen visibilidad, ni voz, porque todos merecemos un mundo de respeto, inclusión y libertad. Y hoy estoy aquí, representando con orgullo a mi nación, a todas las mujeres y a los derechos humanos. • #missuniverse #missuniverso #confidentlybeautiful #thailand #bangkok #roadtomissuniverse #67thmissuniverse #angelaponce #spain #preliminar

A post shared by ANGELA PONCE (@angelaponceofficial) on Dec 14, 2018 at 5:27am PST

“I always say: having a vagina didn’t transform me into a woman. I am a woman, already before birth, because my identity is here.”

While she’s proud of her achievement, Filipino beauty queens have different viewpoints regarding the inclusion of transgender women in beauty pageants.

Beauty queens expressed their opinions. 

2017 Reina Hispanoamericana titleholder Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez said that as much as she loved the idea of Spain allowing Ponce to join, she still thinks that the Miss Universe should be given to “natural born women”. She also clarified that she has nothing against transgenders.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrhCCD-naJ4/

“Kasi there is Miss International Queen, tama ba? It’s a prestigious pageant also… let’s just give it (Miss Universe) for natural born-women and for transgenders to have their own prestigious pageant. Pero kung a-allow naman ng Miss Universe pageant, then we should accept it also.”

Miss Universe-Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina was also not keen on having transgender women in the Miss Universe competition.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqv2T_Jjm-L/

“Well, kung gusto niya talaga sumali, may mga pageants naman na for them. So, let’s give them an idea na meron naman talagang pageant for them. Para man equal din sa girls di ‘ba.”

The 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz hoped that there will be a separate pageant for transgenders instead.

View this post on Instagram

Enjoying this beautiful villa at BE Grand Bohol Resort ❤️ world class! @begrandbohol #BEGrandBohol #BEGrandResort #beyondtheexpected #BEResorts #BEResortsBohol #beholdbohol

A post shared by Gloria Diaz (@its.gloriadiaz) on Jan 8, 2018 at 12:43am PST

In one report by Bombo Radyo, Diaz mentioned that there’s nothing wrong with Ponce’s participation in the pageant, but she hopes for a better venue for transgenders.

As other netizens also shared the same sentiments as Marquez, Medina, and Diaz, the newly-crowned Miss Universe, Catriona Gray, defended Ponce’s right to join the pageant.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrfYbK5gb0D/

A month prior to the coronation night, Gray has expressed her support to the inclusion of transgender candidates to the line-up of contestants.

“I’m open to it, because individually, I see beauty queens more than a physical aspect,” she answered in one episode of The Bottomline.

“We represent something — that has to be what we’re there for. And she has a purpose. She is that voice for the transgender community.

“If she can further educate people about what are the needs of the transgender community to get us to be more compassionate towards them… I have close friends who are transgender, so I’ve heard their experiences, and there is a lot of work to be done in how we come towards them.”

• Laila Chikadora experienced a bit of difficulty during her Facebook live for News5.
• Netizens poked fun at the broadcaster’s reactions.

It seems like the whole world have its eyes on the newly-crowned Miss Universe, Catriona Gray, and people are excited to see every update about the title holder.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnVxWFNDSj_/

She has made it back to Manila on Wednesday, December 19, and several media outlets have had the chance to stream her arrival.

Grey was with former Ilocos Sur governor, Chavit Singson, and other notable media personalities like Jessica Soho and Dyan Castillejo inside a private plane.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laila Chikadora (@lailachikadora) on Feb 19, 2018 at 8:19pm PST

All eyes were on her as she alighted wearing a white suit.

https://www.facebook.com/News5Everywhere/videos/991829677690943/

But netizens who were streaming from the News5 Facebook livestream as Laila Chikadora experienced a bit of mishap which was clearly heard by everyone.

A few minutes after the live started, she began telling someone to call her in another phone as she was conducting the stream at the other one.

“[Unaudible] call me sa Globe! Ang kulit naka-live ako sa Smart! I told you to call me sa Globe kasi I’m using this phone on Facebook. I told you na.”

The viewers began commenting about what they heard and started repeating the words that Laila uttered.

Ang kulet nakalive ako sa smart! 😂

Naka live daw sa smart bulok daw kase globe

Hahaha kulit nya noh tawag ng tawag sayo

Other netizens even started to get annoyed in behalf of the broadcaster.

Sinabi nang tawagan ang isang phone. Ano ka ba????

Naglilive si ate sa smart, ano ba!!!!

Laila encountered another mishap when her phone suddenly dropped in the middle of the crowd when they were trying to get closer to the beauty queen.

“Hold on! Hold on! My phone! Guys! Guys! My phone! Bim, are you still there? My phone fell down,” she yelled as she tried to grab hold of the gadget.

The netizens once again poked fun of the incident.

My phoneeee

Kaloka si ate

Hahahaha 😂 baka ung fon mo ma nakaw pa yan in live lol

Another angle of the happening was captured in the Facebook live of GMA News wherein Laila can be seen reaching for her phone while Grey’s security stopped the crowd.

News5’s live was viewed more than 132,000 views.

• Miss World congratulated Catriona Grey with a post on their Facebook page.
• Filipinos thanked the organization for not making Gray win the Miss World title two years ago.

Following Catriona Gray‘s win, the official Facebook page of Miss World greeted the former 4th runner-up of the 2016 pageant for her new achievement in winning the Miss Universe 2018 crown.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrRw9ncgqyP/

It mentioned Gray’s previous title in Miss World and why she was selected for the Beauty with a Purpose Project “for a special visit during Miss World 2016”.

They also mentioned their gratitude for her vision and dedication for the pageant.

“We are delighted to see her win the Miss Universe crown! Catriona’s brilliant Smokey Mountain Beauty With A purpose project captured all our hearts and it revealed her dedicated vision to support the most vulnerable in our society. Miss Universe organisation you have a great winner !”

The post was full of positivity but others have called out the organization for an issue that the 2016 competition was manipulated.

In a post by Miss World Brazil 2016, she revealed that “there wasn’t enough food and water, there were candidates who slept with the pageant’s staff and there were no panel of judges for the Beauty with a Purpose challenge event” and even added that the jurors were “suspicious”.

What also fueled the suspicion was the fact that one of the judges, Wilnelia Merced, who is the national director of Miss Puerto Rico. She is also a former Miss World from Puerto Rico and her mother is the national franchise holder of Miss World Puerto Rico.

Check out comments of netizens at Miss World’s congratulatory post.

Thank you miss world for not crowining catriona last 2016.hahahah. She showed your world is just a tiny bit grain of salt in the universe. Hahaha

Miss Universe see her worth as a true queen which, unfortunately, Miss World failed to see.

You robbed her crown two years ago and the Universe made it back to her. Truly deserving.

I’m really hurt when she did not get the crown in 2016, but now, I’ more than thankful for the Org for not letting her win. She is meant for something bigger. Bigger platform so she can inspire more people.