The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) announced Monday, December 9, that it was leaving its longtime partnership with Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI).
Headed by Stella Marquez Araneta, BPCI had been the Philippine franchise holder and local pageant organizer of Miss U for 55 years, from 1964 to 2019.
MUO thanked the BPCI for its “more than 50 years of stewardship of the Miss Universe brand and franchise in the Philippines.” Myrna Panlilio was crowned as the first-ever Bb. Pilipinas Universe in 1964.
The US-based organization also said that a brand-new team will be handling Miss Universe Philippines starting 2020. The country’s representative to the 2011 Miss Universe, Shamcey Supsup, will serve as national director of the Miss Universe Philippines Organization.
The news comes on the heels of the staging of the 2019 Miss Universe in Atlanta, Georgia, which saw the last Bb. representative Gazini Ganados reaching the Top 20. Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi was proclaimed Miss Universe 2019, succeeding the Philippines’ Catriona Gray.
Here is the full statement as posted on the Miss Universe Philippines Facebook page:
“The Miss Universe Organization expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Araneta Group and Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. for their more than 50 years of stewardship of the Miss Universe brand and franchise in the Philippines. Both organizations have made an indelible mark in the international pageant scene for celebrating the intelligence, beauty and grace of hundreds of Filipina queens, and for garnering several international titles through the years.
“Undeniably, the most prestigious of these titles continues to be the coveted Miss Universe Philippines. The foundation and fundamentals of Philippine Pageantry are known worldwide to be solid and shall endure all because of the hard work and commitment of the Araneta Group and BPCI.
“Today is a momentous occasion as the country and the Miss Universe Organization focus their collective gaze towards the future of pageantry. It is but fitting that the path to the future be led with vigor and a vision aligned with the transformative purpose of Miss Universe.
“The Miss Universe Organization is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Miss Universe Philippines Organization — a fresh team that will lead the country towards its continued quest to share the beauty and grace of the Filipina to the rest of the world.
“The new organization will be headed by Shamcey Supsup as the National Director. She will be joined by Albert Andrada as the Design Council Head, Jonas Gaffud as the Creative Director, Lia Ramos as Head of Women Empowerment Committee and Charity, Atty. Nad Bronce as Head of Legal Affairs, and Mario Garcia as Business Development/ Marketing Head.
“Rooted in the same strong foundations that have earned the country title after title in the past half century, the Miss Universe Philippines Organization is poised to bring the Miss Universe franchise to greater heights. More importantly, it is the continued support of the pageant fans and community that inspires the Miss Universe Organization to take this crucial step forward. With the Filipina at the center of it all, a bright and beautiful future lies ahead.”
MUO is set to release more updates via the Miss Universe Philippines (@themissuniverseph) accounts on Facebook and Instagram. On December 13, 2019 at 6 pm, it said that there will be a live feed of the first official press conference of the new Miss Universe Philippines Organization.
BPCI, who also fields contestants to other international pageants such as Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Grand International and Miss Globe, has yet to release a statement on this development, which is expected to still send shockwaves in the pageant community despite rumors that MUO was looking for a new partner.
Early this year, news broke out that former Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, who financed the country’s hosting of Miss Universe in 2016, had acquired the Miss Universe Philippines franchise. He later on clarified in reports that he was offered but has yet to accept it.
