What brought Miss U candidates to Batangas? Chavit’s P600-M yacht

Chavit Singson's $12-million M/Y Happy Life can carry 200 passengers. Photos from Chavit Singson's Facebook

The 65th Miss Universe candidates arrived in Batangas in style, waving from the Chavit Singson's yacht, M/Y Happy Life. The yacht can ferry 200 passengers, but today's voyage is limited to 55 passengers.

The three-storey yacht is a recent acquisition for former governor and businessman Singson, who is the major investor in the staging of the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines.

A report by Connie Sison for GMA News' Balitanghali revealed that even the furniture and details inside the yacht are luxurious.

For example, a table in the lobby is made from imported railway wood from India that is about 300 to 400 years old.

According to the Balitanghali report, M/Y Happy Life cost $12 million, or roughly P600 million. Another $1 million was used for renovations.

Singson's business partner Aernout Tierie told Sison that the yacht was transported via a larger cargo ship from Geneva, Switzerland to Hong Kong. The floor was redone with "very expensive wood," as some damage was sustained during transport.

A hot tub is located on the main deck, along with speedboats and jet skis.

A group of candidates for the Miss Universe pageant boarded the yacht on Thursday and were ferried to Batangas, where they were scheduled to do a photo shoot at Pico De Loro.

Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation event live on GMA on January 30, beginning at 8 a.m. — Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News