The inaugural Miss Planet International 2022 beauty pageant will not push through this year. Instead, the competition was rescheduled in January 2023.
Pageant organizers made the announcement in a statement released on Sunday, Nov. 13. It read:
"On behalf of our Miss Planet International Organization we are announcing the postponement of our worldwide competition that would be held in Uganda on November 19th, 2022.
"We regret to inform that the Finals and Preliminary competitions won't be held due to the Host Organizers failed to comply and meet the requirements for the realization of the events.
"Miss Planet International 2022 moves forward and it will be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia in January 2023. We would like to express our sincere apologies for all the inconvenience caused," the statement said.
Wilbert Tolentino, national director of Miss Planet Philippines, reacted to the postponement of the international pageant.
"Pano indi mag postponed? lahat nag back at ubos na yung delegates. Nahihibang pa cla may susupporta. yung integrity at credibility ginawa nila sa lahat ng delegates," said Tolentino.
Recall that a few days ago when Tolentino announced that he withdrew Herlene Nicole Budol from the competition due to its uncertainties.
"It seems like the Ugandan government has no initiative to intervene.
"To the team, sponsors, and designers. Thank you and I am sorry.
"Thank you to the Filipino community in Uganda for the comfort and well wishes.
"Especially to Yiga Ventures, @Hassan Yiga & Rama-dhan Kimbugwe and his team for protecting and keeping my queen, Herlene and her team safe.
"Not only we lost a crown, lost of money, lost of effort; but lost of time," he said. "But we will never lose hope, because we have bright future back home awaits."
"This is indeed a traumatic experience for all of us, but we fought for it until the end. And that is our mission," he said.