This Week in Metro Manila (January 30 to February 05, 2017)

After weeks of pre-pageant activities and various events, the 65th Miss Universe will have its Coronation Night on January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena, 8:00 A.M.

Aside from the 86 beautiful contestants that will vie for the crown, the event will also be attended by various international guests. Steve Harvey will once again be hosting the event along with model Ashley Graham. Former Miss Universe title holders will also be attending the event to serve as guests and judges.

The event will also be different this time in terms of selecting the winner. From the original top 15, the judges will only be selecting the top 12 contestants based on their preliminary performance. The top 12 will participate in the swimsuit competition, and the top 9 will move forward for the long gown competition. After that, six will be selected to undergo the question and answer portion and among them will be the 65th Miss Universe.

The event will also be different this time in terms of selecting the winner. From the original top 15, the judges will only be selecting the top 12 contestants based on their preliminary performance. The top 12 will participate in the swimsuit competition, and the top 9 will move forward for the long gown competition. After that, six will be selected to undergo the question and answer portion and among them will be the 65th Miss Universe.

A heads up to the commuters on January 30 because no road closure will take effect on that day. Despite the expected traffic due to the number of international delegates that will be attending the event, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) promises to deploy almost a hundred personnel on Monday to ensure everyone’s safety.

The Coronation Day will be welcomed with minor rain showers on the morning of the 30th. Commuters and even attendees of the event are best advised to be ready with appropriate rain gear or protection. The rest of the week will be sunny all throughout.

A perfect way to celebrate the new Miss Universe winner is, of course, over food. Going local is the best way to celebrate which can be had at La Fiesta at the Mall of Asia, the largest Filipino buffet in the country. They serve the classic favorites like lechon de leche (roasted pig) and inihaw na pusit (grilled squid), but they also have the popular street foods like isaw (chicken intestines) and balut! It’s a perfect treat for locals and foreigners alike, because they also have cultural shows to entertain the guests.

See our list of fine dining restaurants in Pasay or browse the Dining & Leisure Category of the ShoppersGuide Directory.

After watching the Miss Universe competition, a great way to end the day is with a glamorous dinner by the sea. Sun Cruises at the Esplanade Seaside Terminal provides an hour of boat cruise around Manila Bay. The cruise comes with complete set of dinner, acoustic music, and the beauty of light and darkness during the golden hour at the sea overlooking the string of restaurants at Mall of Asia.