Miss Universe is more than just a beauty pageant to many in the Philippines.

The News Lens
Date: 2017/01/30
By: Michael Beltran

The Philippines hosted this year’s Miss Universe pageant after winning the crown last year for the third time. As expected, the country is going nuts about the whole affair.

Criticism has been leveled at both the Miss Universe pageant and the Filipina representative Maxine Medina. Gabriela, the largest and arguably most influential grassroots women’s group in the country, says, “The Miss Universe pageant is an expensive exercise to lull the people and the international audience into a false sense of well-being and celebration.”

They add that the Department of Tourism has marketed the pageant and the country as a destination for beautiful women willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder.    [FULL  STORY]