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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Chavit Singson eyes Miss Universe buyout, vows to save pageant from collapse

Chavit Singson eyes Miss Universe buyout, vows to save pageant from collapse

Published Dec 22, 2025 03:57 pm
Renowned businessman and former politician Chavit Singson made headlines with an intriguing revelation: he intends to acquire the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).
Businessman and former politician Chavit Singson
Businessman and former politician Chavit Singson
This significant move comes at a time when the organization is caught in a whirlwind of controversy, drawing both public scrutiny and media attention.
During a press conference at his mansion in Quezon City on Dec. 22, Chavit announced that he and his daughter, Richelle, will meet with former MUO officials Paula Shugart and Shawn McClain in January 2026 to discuss the possible acquisition of the prestigious pageant.
Just to let you know, the MUO is not for sale. However, Chavit stated he would consider buying the MUO to prevent its collapse after the recent controversy. At present, the MUO is jointly owned by Thailand's JKN Global Group and Mexico's Legacy Holding Group. Mexican businessman Raul Rocha is the president of the MUO.
Chavit, 84, recalled that the MUO had been offered to him after the successful staging of the 2016 Miss Universe pageant in Manila in January 2017. At that time, Chavit was told by MUO officials that they had earned $500 million in media mileage.
"Noong nagkaroon sila ng problema sa Thailand. And then Mexico, sinabi ko na, I am interested in buying. So kinausap ko yung mga former MUO officials. Nakipag-communicate sila sa akin, so they will be arriving in January. (When they had problems in Thailand. And then Mexico, I said I am interested in buying. So I talked to the former MUO officials. They communicated with me so they will be arriving in January)," Chavit said.
Manong Chavit said he is ready to acquire the MUO "if the price is right."
He also said, "Tatlo lang talaga ang hilig ng mga Pinoy: basketball, boxing at beauty contests. (Filipinos only have three passions: basketball, boxing, and beauty contests.)"
In 2017, Chavit invested some $13 million (roughly P700 million) in the Miss Universe pageant. But he suffered significant losses.
"Nalugi ako noon, but it was good for our country. That's why walang businessman na kumuha ng Miss Universe. (I lost money then, but it was good for our country. That's why no businessman has ever taken Miss Universe.) Not even the government," he said.
Chavit said that then-President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the MUO project in the Philippines. But Duterte said the government had no money to help stage the pageant in the country. "So I told Duterte that I would take care of it."
The former governor also said he is ready to lose money in this venture to lift our country again. "Makakatulong din ito ng malaki sa tourism and foreign investment. Ready akong malugi basta maganda ang kalalabasan para sa ating bansa. (This will also boost tourism and foreign investment a lot. I'm prepared to lose money as long as the outcome is good for our country.)"
Asked if there would be changes in the criteria of Miss Universe, should his company acquire the pageant, Chavit said, "Hindi ko alam. Pero siguro pag-uusapan ito ng aming team. (I don't know. But maybe our team will talk about it.)"
The MUO has allowed married and divorced women, as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community, to compete. The age limit in the pageant was also removed.
In November, the staging of the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand was rocked with controversies, including the walkout of some candidates during the sashing ceremony.
Days before the finals, two judges of the prestigious beauty contest announced on social media that they had resigned. This is the first time two judges participating in the prestigious competition have resigned.
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