Twelve candidates of the Miss Universe pageant 2016 arrived in Siargao Island on Sunday for their photo-shoot sessions, the information office of Surigao del Norte said.
The candidates were received by Surigao de Norte Governor Sol Matugas together with 1st District representative Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas, former congressman Francisco “Lalo” Matugas and General Luna town mayor Jaime Plaza Rusillon.
They arrived at Siargao Island on Sunday at the Sayak Airport in Del Carmen town.
The 12 candidates were accompanied by Miss Universe officials, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and former Governor Chavit Singson.
The Miss Universe candidates include Miss Malaysia Kiran Jassal; Miss Philippines Maxine Medina; Miss Indonesia Kezia Roslin Cikita Warouw; Miss Vietnam Ngo Tra My; Miss Japan Sari Nakazawa; Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun; Miss Australia Caris Trivil; Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane; Miss USA Deshauna Barber; Miss China Li Zhenying; Miss Korea Jenny Kim; and Miss New Zealand Tania Dawson.
The candidates explored some of the key tourist sites in the island particularly at the Cloud 9 Surfing site in General Luna town.
They were also welcomed by leading resorts in the island to include the Siargao Bleu, Dedon Island and Isla Cabana.
Singson chartered the flight of the participating Miss Universe candidates from Manila to Siargao’s Sayak airport.
He was accompanied by Tourism undersecretary Frederick Alegre.
The staging of the photo-shoot session of the 12 candidates was made possible through the support of House Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez.
The Miss Universe pageant will be held at the Mall of Asia in Manila on January 30, 2017.
