By Isabella Montano, CNN Philippines
Updated 08:49 AM PHT Tue, December 20, 2016
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A Miss Universe fashion show in the southern Philippine city of Davao may yet proceed next month after a feud among designers was resolved, said Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.
Teo added however, that Miss Universe Organization officials have the last say on the event taking place, once security concerns have been assessed.
"Now we're pushing through with the fashion show in Davao and I'm also thankful that medyo naayos ni (tourism undersecretary) Kat De Castro 'yung problema," Teo told reporters on Monday.
The controversy over the fashion show, which Teo said was a brainchild of leading Philippine designer Rene Salud, emerged after Davao-based designers felt snubbed.
Ten of the Miss Universe contestants will now each wear a design from a selected Davao designer while the remaining contestants will wear Salud's designs. Salud's designs will integrate weaves of indigenous people from Mindanao, she added.
Teo, a native of Davao, said that tourism and Miss Universe officials had to review security concerns in the city and the proposed venue of the fashion show.
"Sa totoo lang, hindi pa talaga approved ang Davao (To be honest, Davao hasn't really been approved) and I've been asking them 'Why,'" said Teo. "(It's) because of the security problem, according to them. Because of the bombing and the travel advisory. But I've been pushing hard for that (the fashion show) and I'm sure they will consider Davao," she added.
A bomb exploded in Davao's popular night market in early-September, killing 15 persons and wounding dozens. The perpetrators have been arrested and charged by police.

Possible search for Filipina co-host is on

When asked if Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach will be considered to co-host the pageant itself along with Miss Universe host Steve Harvey, Teo says this won't happen as Wurtzbach's role is to crown the new queen.
But auditions among TV personalities from the country's different TV networks are ongoing.
"Nag-audition Kapamilya, Kapatid, ano ba Kapamilya, Kapatid, Kapuso iyan. Isipin niyo lang ninyo kung sino diyan (Just speculate who among them.). We're considering any of them," she said.

Tickets are more affordable

Tickets for the Miss Universe coronation night  go on sale from Tuesday, December 20.
The price of general admission tickets was lowered to 2,000 pesos each instead of the initially announced 8,000 pesos. However, VIP tickets are steep at 50,000 pesos. With only 200 seats left, she says, she expects even these to sell out quickly.
Beauty pageant fans must also buy tickets for the auxiliary shows to be held in various parts of the Philippines in the runup to pageant, Teo adds.
The coronation night will be held at the 15,000-seater SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 30 at 8 a.m. The VIP red carpet proceedings will kick off at 6 a.m., she added.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.smtickets.com.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/12/20/dot-miss-universe-davao-fashion-show.html