After the Philippines failed to secure a spot in the Top 12 of Miss Universe 2024, Filipino pageant fans turned to businessman and former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, urging him to purchase the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).
The appeal reflects growing doubts about the pageant’s integrity under its current owner, Thai billionaire Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, who acquired the MUO in 2022 for $20 million (approximately PHP 1.1 billion).
Social media platforms were flooded with posts from Filipino netizens urging Singson to take over the Miss Universe brand, believing his leadership could restore credibility to the global competition. Many expressed their trust in Singson’s ability, citing his pivotal role in hosting the 2016 Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines.
Reacting to the calls, Singson responded with humor in a comment that quickly went viral: “Bibilhin ko ang buong Miss Universe organization kung si Senyora yung representative natin next year.” His playful remark was met with laughter and sparked excitement among fans.
Singson is no stranger to the Miss Universe scene. In 2016, he sponsored the hosting of the pageant in the Philippines, contributing an estimated $15 million (around PHP 880 million) to the event. The pageant boosted the country’s tourism industry, with former MUO President Paula Shugart noting that the event generated over $500 million worth of media mileage.
The successful hosting cemented the Philippines’ reputation as a premier pageant destination and underscored the economic benefits of Miss Universe for host countries.
Since Jakrajutatip’s acquisition of the MUO, the pageant has faced criticism and skepticism from fans worldwide. Many have questioned the fairness and transparency of the competition under her leadership, fueling the demand for new ownership.
Filipino fans have expressed disappointment over the recent results, particularly the Philippines’ non-inclusion in the Top 12. Some see Singson’s potential involvement as a way to restore the prestige and fairness of the competition.
While Singson’s response was lighthearted, it has reignited discussions about the future of Miss Universe and whether the Filipino businessman would seriously consider acquiring the organization. Given his track record in promoting Philippine tourism and his significant contributions to the pageant industry, many believe he is well-positioned to take on the challenge.
