Miriam Quiambao: Miss Universe in PHL good for tourism, women empowerment

After the creation of a petition against the staging of the next Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines, 1999 first runner-up Miriam Quiambao said the competition might actually be good for women's empowerment in the country.

"I'd like to think that Filipinos give women high regard in this country, especially since the Philippines is very maternal in nature, in our culture," the beauty queen said in an interview on Tuesday. "I think a lot of women here are being respected and being held in high regard. There are a lot of advocacies for women empowerment."

However, Quiambao added, "Sadly, we have heard of stories and quotations of disrespect from certain leaders in this country. I am very saddened by this. In fact, I chose not to elect certain officials just because of what they have said in the past against women."

Women's rights advocates recently posted a petition online, calling on the Miss Universe Organization "to reconsider" their decision to hold the pageant in the Philippines and denouncing President Rodrigo Duterte "and his cohorts" for the "objectionable, scandalous, and demeaning sexist attitude" they demonstrate "towards womankind."

Quiambao said of the advocates, “Naiintindihan ko ang side nila, but instead of trying to stop this, why don't we just focus on what we want? A lot of success speakers and advocates say that—focus on what you want. So what it is that we really want? We want women to be held in high respect, to be empowered, to be educated. Why don't we focus on that instead? The more we focus on what we want, the more likely that we will achieve it.”

Quiambao said that the Miss Universe pageant is not just about "women in skimpy bikinis."

“[I]t is actually an opportunity and a platform for them to engage the audience and get them involved in their own personal advocacies,” she said.

Beauty queen Miriam Quiambao on holding Miss Universe in PH: It will not only promote tourism, but women empowerment as well. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/jpQLPvSlaH

— Bianca Rose Dabu (@biancadabu) October 11, 2016

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo in a report by GMA News' Balitanghali previously said that preparation for the pageant is on track.

"I'd like to assure you that Miss Universe will be here, the contest will be here on January 30," Teo declared.

The candidates are expected to arrive on January 13, weeks ahead of the coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

According to the DOT, the candidates will visit different parts of the Philippines in groups. Among the potential places to be visited by the country representatives are Intramuros, Batangas, Palawan, Legazpi, Cebu, and Davao. — BM, GMA News