TAGUIG - After shelling out $15 million for the mounting of the Miss Universe pageant in Manila, Luis "Chavit" Singson said the LCS Group will now "concentrate on expanding" its banking and transportation businesses here and abroad.

The Vigan Banco International that has branches in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the US will be competing with money remittance centers by charging cheaper fees for its services, Singson said.

"Ang instruction ko sa grupo ko, basta volume tayo. Ang hinahabol ko volume. Kahit konti lang ang kita basta marami (ang magpapadala) okay tayo," Singson said.

(I told the group to focus on the volume. Even if the profit is small, as long as there are many clients then that's okay.)

TRANSPORTATION

Partas, the group's bus line that plies to and from Metro Manila and northern Luzon, is gunning to have the "most modern terminals in the country," Singson said.

Terminals will be fully-air conditioned and will have lodging for tourists, he said.

A modernized Pasay terminal is expected to be fully operational by this year, while terminals in Manila and Cubao are expected to follow suit.

'FILIPINO DONALD TRUMP'?

Singson downplayed comments that he can be considered as the "Donald Trump of the Philippines" after his successful hosting of the Miss Universe pageant.

"I consider it as a joke," Singson said.

"Magkaiba kami kako dahil ako decided na ako na lahat ng naipon ko, mula bata ako mahilig na ako sa negosyo, ipapamigay ko lahat."

(We are different because I have decided to give away all my savings since I was young.)

"Bibigyan ko din mga anak ko pero karamihan ibibigay ko din sa taong bayan... dahil pag namatay ako hindi ko din madadala eh," he said.

(I will give my children some inheritance but most of it will be given to the public... After all, I couldn't bring my money with me when I die.)