DAVAO CITY—From the mountain to the runway.
That’s what Miss Universe candidates did in their short visit here last week.
Less than an hour after they arrived, the 29 candidates were herded into a bus for a very late lunch at the Eden Nature Park and Resort, a mountain haven in Toril District, more than an hour ride from the Francisco Bangoy International Airport.
There, they were welcomed by schoolchildren who waited for more than three hours. The candidates had a brief dance showdown with Bagobo children. The resort was off limits to media, though.
The candidates did not have the time to try the mountain resort’s adrenaline-pumping rides like the Skyswing, Skycycle and the zipline as they had to rush back to the SMX Convention Center for the Mindanao Tapestry fashion show.
The show was delayed for more than an hour with the paying audience made to wait outside the venue because the girls still had to do runway rehearsals.
A preshow at the mall’s foyer featured local models and Mindanao designers Ronnie Nacua, Toffy Ledesma, John Bonnie Adaza, Bamba Limon, Nicky de Asis, Richie Uy de los Santos, Steffy Dacalus, Joey Hambala, Windel Mira, Grand Crizzel Ravacio, Pepe Quitco, Che Aranjuez, Mark Sayad, Ivan Raborar, Wilfred Yee, Akmad Kari Jr. and Saidali Abdilla Jr.
The main show opened with Miss USA Deshauna Barber wearing homegrown designer Aztec Barba’s gown. —NICO ALCONABA INQ
Li Zhenying (China). PHOTOS BY BING GONZALES
Maxine Medina (Philippines)
Kristal Silva (Mexico)
Htet Htet Htun (Myanmar)