MANILA - Touted as one of the biggest events in the country this year, sponsors had to shell out millions of dollars just to bring the Miss Universe 2016 pageant to Manila.

Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, along with Okada Manila, Solar Entertainment Corporation and Philippine Airlines, are among the major sponsors of the event.

Speaking on DZMM, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said Singson had to pay an additional $900,000 (roughly P45 million) just to ensure that the pageant will be held in the country.

"Supposed to be, tuloy na. In fact, LCS (Singson) signed the contract, paid the downpayment. We're supposed to... gagawa kami ng press con na tuloy na 'yung (event). But the before, nakausap namin 'yung Miss Universe, talagang sinabi cancelled. Naku sumakit ang ulo ko. Papaano 'yung press con?" she said.

"Si Singson had to fly to Manila on the next day para kumuha ng connections... And we had to pull strings, at nagpadagdag ng $900,000, but it was Singson who paid," Teo added.

The franchise alone for the pageant cost $6 million (roughly P300 million), paid for by Okada ($3 million) and Solar ($3 million).

Singson, the biggest investor in staging the Miss Universe pageant in Manila, earlier said his group shouldered about $12.9 million for the event.

The Miss Universe coronation night will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 30.

Ticket prices range from P2,000 (general admission) to P50,000 (VIP).