Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee (second from right) is joined by her 2021 queen Beatrice Luigi Gomez (second from left), communications director Voltaire Tayag (left) and creative director Jonas Gaffud. Image: INQUIRER.net/ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines—After a period of speculations since Miss Universe Organization (MUO) owner Anne Jakrajutatip made a call for all national license holders to submit their proposals on taking the brand forward, Filipinos may now heave a sigh of relief because the Philippine bidding war has come to a conclusion.
“We are thankful to the Miss Universe Inc. and Khun Anne for putting their trust in the Miss Universe Philippines Organization as the official franchise holder. Together, we will forge ahead in championing women and elevating the pageant industry,” the national organization’s communications director Voltaire Tayag said in a statement released to members of local media.
Jakrajutatip, who leads the Bangkok-based conglomerate JKN Global Group, earlier announced that all national franchise holders are requested to submit their respective proposals on how they could better expand the brand in their territories, a move that virtually opened the doors to other entities to signify their intention of securing the Miss Universe license.
After the call was made, several franchise holders have lost their licenses, or voluntarily severed ties with the international organization. Puteri Indonesia, whose relationship with MUO spanned three decades, will no longer be sending a representative to the global tilt now that the Indonesian franchise was awarded to a new group. The former licensees for Ghana, Seychelles, Mauritius and, just recently, Cambodia, have also ended their partnership with MUO.
Before Jakrajutatip acquired full ownership of MUO, there had also been changes in the franchisees in different countries under then owner WME/IMG which bought the organization from Donald Trump in 2015.
During the IMG era, MUO ended its five-decade relationship with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. in 2020 in favor of the Miss Universe Philippines Organization. Former Bb. Pilipinas and 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee was appointed as national director. Several other former winners and participants in the global tilt also became their respective countries’ national directors at the time.
“The MUPH Organization has produced world-class shows and uniquely beautiful queens since it started. We are inspired to continue our commitment to excellence. We look forward to a very eventful and fruitful partnership in the coming years,” Tayag said in his released statement.
“Expect lots of excitement from the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 events, culminating in a spectacular finals on May 13,” he continued. The coronation show will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Thirty-nine aspirants are vying for the title currently held by Italian-Filipino model Celeste Cortesi. Among the candidates are her fellow 2022 queens, Miss Universe Philippines Tourism Michelle Marquez Dee and Miss Universe Philippines Charity Pauline Amelinckx. /ra