Miss U 2017 online fan voting starts
Help your favorite Miss Universe 2017 candidate enter the semifinals on Nov. 26 (Nov. 27 in Manila) via online voting.
In a statement, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said voting can be done in two ways: (1) To vote online, visit vote.missuniverse.com. You will have 10 votes per day to vote for your favorite contestants. Remember to
click "Confirm Votes" for them to count. (2) To vote via Twitter, send in a tweet or submit a retweet with #MISSUNIVERSE and your contestant specific hashtag (#COUNTRY). Make sure to take advantage by re-tweeting.
The MUO said that online voting will end on Saturday, Nov. 25, a day before the finals which will be held at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Voting is open to anyone 14 years and over. Votes cast outside of the voting period (1 p.m. ET Monday November 20, 2017 - 1 p.m. ET Saturday, November 25, 2017) will not be counted as votes. Only votes that comply with the instructions and these Voting Rules and Procedures will be counted. Voting using third party applications are prohibited."
A record of 92 contestants is competing for this year’s Miss Universe title. For country
Miss Philippines Rachel Peters, 26, thanked all Filipinos who are supporting her in the 66th Miss Universe beauty pageant.
“I have the whole Philippines behind me. They inspire me, they motivate me even when I’m tired and jet-lagged. Reading their messages makes me want to get up and do good for them," said Peters in the introduction video shared by the MUO recently.
Peters also encouraged the people to spread love and kindness.
“While you’re here on this earth, do what you love, be with the people you love, and spread as much love and kindness to as many people as you can. You always want to be remembered as a nice person, somebody who is kind to everyone, and somebody who made a difference in the world,” the beauty queen said.
Peters says she loves surfing. "The first time I tried surfing, it is so addictive. And when you catch your first wave, the adrenalin rush that you get is amazing."
Off to Vegas
Camarines Sur Governor Migz-Villafuerte said he is flying to Las Vegas to support his girlfriend.
"Kapag wala daw ako doon sa 24 ay papagalitan niya raw ako. Kaya susunod tayo (She said she would get mad at me if I do not make it on Nov. 24. That is why I have to be there)," Villafuerte said in an interview.
His words of encouragement to Peters who is an early favorite for the title: “Just continue to do your best. No matter what happens, I am always here for you, [as well as] your parents, your brother, and your family who will always believe in you and love you."
"I know na ikaw ang susunod na Miss Universe. Kung hindi Miss Universe, Miss Universe ng buhay ko (I know you will be the next Miss Universe. If it won’t happen, you will still be my Miss Universe)," the governor model said.
Despite the distance, Villafuerte said he and Peters are always in touch. "Every day po kausap kosi Rachel. Masaya ang kanyang demeanor pero ako naman ang kinakabahan, di ko alam kung bakit? (Rachel and I talk to each other every day. She is happy while I am the one who is nervous. I don’t know why?)
On Instagram, Villafuerte, the youngest elected governor in Philippine history posted he is "coconuts" about Peters. "I'll always be your number 1 fan my love."