Miss Universe bets visit Baguio Jan. 18; mayor declares no classes

By Joseph B. Zambrano

BAGUIO CITY – No classes will be held in this summer capital when reigning Miss Universe  Pia Wurtzbach  with 32   candidates worldwide    arrive here Jan. 18 for overnight stay as part of itinerary  of  this year’s  Miss Universe pageant to be held in the country .

The beauties will touch down at the historic Loakan Airport with a draw sword welcome and silent drill exhibition by the cadets of the Philippine Military Academy.

A mini-Panagbenga parade will follow   from Upper Session Road going to South Drive and ends at Baguio Country Club.

The beauties will experience strawberry picking and tree planting at the BCC and will be treated with gala dinner.

They will spend the night at same venue.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the visit by candidates will boost tourism. Meanwhile, security is in place according Senior Supt. Ramil Saculles, city police director.

“We will see to it that the candidates will have a safe and enjoyable stay. We have also in place traffic plans and we appeal for the cooperation of everybody,” Saculles said.

The Miss Universe pageant is one of the major activities expected to boost attention and tourism to the country which last hosted said event in 1994.

The coronation ceremony will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 30 at 8 a.m. to coincide with evening broadcast in New York.

Classes in all levels in public and private schools here will be suspended during the visit of Miss Universe contestants on Jan. 18.

“We want our constituents to have a glimpse of the visiting beauties from various parts of the world. We want them to enjoy a historical event that will happen in the city,” Domogan said through Administrative Order 003. 

Domogan said the suspension of classes is expected to prevent traffic gridlocks with the closure of roads where the parade will pass.