Will Chavit Singson help mount another Miss Universe pageant in PH?

MAKATI CITY - LCS Group of Companies chief and former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson was coy when asked on Friday if he is willing to pour in resources should the Philippines decide to host the Miss Universe pageant once more in the coming years.

Singson earlier told ABS-CBN News that his group has shouldered some $14 million for the purchase of a luxury yacht for the candidates and to make the pageant happen in the country.

The hefty bill continues to pile up without a guaranteed profit, Singson earlier said.

"Mahirap... Ngayon walang gastos ang gobyerno so medyo hirap kami ngayon... Hindi namin iniisip na malulugi kami kasi in the long run, mababawi din," Singson said at the sidelines of a luncheon event at a hotel in Makati.

(It's hard. The government is not spending any money. But we are no longer thinking about it as a losing investment because we can earn profit out of it in the long run.)

Singson and other major sponsors have been earning from the sales of tickets for some ancillary events.

"Ang problema lang, medyo sold out na ang ticket, madami pa rin naghahanap... Malaking tulong iyun para mabawasan ang lugi ng mga sponsor."

(The problem is tickets are almost sold out but the demand is still high. It would be a great help to ease the sponsors' losses.)

Singson is also banking on the possibility that hosting the Miss Universe will draw in more tourists to the Philippines.

"Basta dumami ang turista natin, in the long run makikinabang lahat," Singson said.

(As long as this would increase tourist arrivals in the country, everybody will benefit in the long run.)

Solar Entertainment head Wilson Tieng said being a sponsor of Miss Universe helps his company to "build the brand."

"This is the biggest event in history for television... With a global event like this, you know how expensive it can be so I guess for people like us, iyung profit or recoupment is secondary," Tieng told ABS-CBN News.

"It builds our brand and other collateral benefits as well in the sense that it brings attention to our country. It puts us on the map," he said.