WATCH: Pia Wurtzbach meets with Duterte on Miss Universe plans

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach met with President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 18, to discuss the plans to host the next Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines (LOOK: Pia Wurtzbach back in PH to meet Duterte on Miss Universe)

Pia was accompanied by her manager Esther Swan, Miss Universe President Paula Shugart, Shawn McClain, vice president for Marketing and Business Development, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo and undersecretary Kat de Castro.

According to a Malacañang press release, the two also “talked about the similarities between them, with both of them hailing from Mindanao and winning their respective titles as the first Mindanaoan President and first Mindanaoan Ms. Universe.”

Pia took a selfie with President Duterte:

What an honor it was to meet our new President, Rodrigo Duterte. First Mindanaon President and first Mindanaon Miss Universe #changeiscoming #philippines

A photo posted by Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@piawurtzbach) on Jul 18, 2016 at 3:09am PDT

 

She even posed with Shawn McClain, the Miss Universe Organization’s Vice President for Marketing and Business Development, looking all somber like in House of Cards.

For those of us climbing to the top of the food chain, there can be no mercy. There is but one rule: hunt or be hunted. #malacanangpalace @piawurtzbach

A photo posted by Shawn McClain (@theshawnmcclain) on Jul 17, 2016 at 11:50pm PDT

 

Jonas Gaffud, who trained Pia, posted some photos on Instagram, which included Pia taking a selfie with the President.

 

Selfie with the first President and first Miss Universe from Mindanao. #itsmorefuninthephilippines #mabuhay

A photo posted by Jonas Antonio Gaffud (@jonasofmercator) on Jul 18, 2016 at 2:02am PDT

 

 

Inside Malacañang. @swanbirdnyc did you change your title? Hahaha @piawurtzbach #missuniverse

A photo posted by Jonas Antonio Gaffud (@jonasofmercator) on Jul 18, 2016 at 12:29am PDT

 

 

Inside Malacañang. Courtesy call of @piawurtzbach with President Rodrigo Duterte of The Philippines

A photo posted by Jonas Antonio Gaffud (@jonasofmercator) on Jul 18, 2016 at 12:02am PDT

 

 

 

 

Prior to her meeting with Duterte, Pia met with Department of Tourism secretary Wanda Teo.

In a press statement, Teo said about Pia’s visit: “I’m so proud and grateful of the full support she is giving us in our efforts to host the upcoming Miss Universe contest in the country.

“Indeed, she has taken up the cudgels and leadership to make this happen. If this translates into reality, our tourism industry stands to gain tremendously.

The statement continued: “We are really hopeful that the President will grant our request, especially now that the private sector have come together to shoulder the production costs of Miss Universe.

“I’d like to emphasize that this undertaking would practically entail no expense on the part of the government.”

In the same statement, the reigning Miss Universe said,” I’m very happy that I’m back home after a while. The last time I was here was during the coronation night of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. And now I’m back here to work actually.”

She continued later: “I don’t think it’s a secret; it’s a public knowledge that it is my personal dream, and I think the dream of a lot of Filipinos, the majority of Filipinos, that someday we’ll see the Miss Universe pageant to be held here. And we are keeping our fingers crossed.”

On Friday, July 15, Teo confirmed in a press statement that the President has “approved in principle” her department’s proposal for the Philippines to host the next Miss Universe pageant. (READ: Duterte ‘approves in principle’ plans to host Miss Universe in PH – DOT)

DOT Undersecretary Kat de Castro earlier confirmed this month that Teo  met with the executives of the Miss Universe Organization – led by its president Paula Shugart – about the possibility of the Philippines hosting the pageant. – Rappler.com