MANILA -- Following a six-day trip in the Philippines with the Miss Universe delegation, the Miss Universe candidates from Canada and Malaysia have decided to extend their visit this week courtesy of Miss Universe Philippines Rachel Peters.
In an interview, Department of Tourism Undersecretary Kat De Castro said Peters invited the two ladies to Siargao in Mindanao after Miss Canada Lauren Howe and Miss Malaysia Samantha James fell in love with Camiguin.
De Castro said this signifies an improvement in Mindanao's tourism.
After Siargao, the two are expected to go straight to Palawan.
The Miss Universe delegation departed Manila on December 10 after visiting Intramuros, Batanes group of islands, Camiguin and Bohol.
During the trip, De Castro said the ladies seemingly enjoyed the visit.
"So far so good, there were little hiccups along the way but we handled it, especially when Miss Universe (Demi Leigh Nel-Peters) went to Batanes kasi inulan sila doon but still they had so much fun sa mga picture nila" (So far so good, there were little hiccups along the way but we handled it, especially when Miss Universe Demi Leigh Nel-Peters went to Batanes where it rained hard, but they still had so much fun in their pictures), said De Castro.
"Si Demi Leigh mismo would like to come back soon" (Demi Leigh herself would like to come back soon), the official said.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said selected Miss Universe candidates were tapped as ambassadors of Philippine tourism to help promote some of the country's tourist destinations.
"We want that when they go back to their country, they will be able to promote the Philippines like they've been taking pictures of the place they've been to," Tulfo-Teo said. (PNA)
