Governor's Ball Kicks off 65th Miss Universe Competition Charity Drive

Left to Right: Terry Farris of Pass it Forward, MUO President Paula Shugart, DOT Secretary Wanda Teo, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Gov. Luis Chavit Singson, Chairmain of Universal Entertainment Inc. Kazuo Okada, Solar President Wilson Tieng, SM Lifestyle Entertainment President Edgar Tejerero and Gov. Ryan Singson

One the most exclusive events that are part of the run-up to the Miss Universe Competition happened at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City January 16th.

The Governor's Ball, named after former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson (LCS), was a special gala where members of high society had an opportunity for a close encounter with candidates of the 65th Miss Universe at an 'invitation only' black tie dinner which featured entertainment from world-class talents.

Singson's LCS Group led the extraordinary gathering and was joined by top executives from his major partners at the Miss Universe Competition: Kazuo Okada of Okada Manila, Wilson Tieng of Solar Entertainment Inc., Hans Sy of SM Lifestyle Entertainment Corp., and Manuel Pangilinan of PLDT.

Other notable attendees were partners Ramon Ang from the San Miguel Corporation and Lucio Tan from the Philippine Airlines, the Miss Universe Organization's Paula Shugart and her team, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and Tourism Undersecretary Frederick Alegre, familiar names from local and national government, in particular former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Senator Manny Pacquiao, 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz and 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran, and representatives from regional partners JPark Island Resort and Waterworld Cebu, and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio.

An integral component to its operations, the MUO advocates causes such as the global fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It also encourages pageant winners and host countries to likewise support their favorite charities.

Singson, the man whose remarkable vision was to bring the annual beauty competition back home to the Philippines, used the Governor's Ball as a way of bringing together his staunchest pageant supporters while rolling out the red carpet for international guests at a private and upscale fundraiser.

The Governor's Ball was also an avenue to further campaign awareness of Pass It Forward (PIF), a philanthropic outfit that acts similarly like a charitable "market place," facilitating the engagement between givers (individuals, corporations, and foundations) and receivers (charities) to come together.

"The Governor’s Ball will be an opportunity to showcase to those who attend how they can make a positive change in the community," said Pass It Forward Managing Director Terry Alan Farris. "If we could get 1% of the viewers of the Miss Universe to give back and support the nonprofits of the Philippines, think of the impact we can make."

To date, nonprofits like Gawad Kalinga, the ABS-CBN Foundation, Philippine Red Cross, and others have been recipients of the Pass It Forward charities. For years, Singson has been PIF's main benefactor.

"I've maintained a long-term relationship with the Pass It Forward because the idea of building capacities for all nonprofit organizations in the Philippines – instead of just focusing on a few – appeals to me," said Governor Singson. "I promise the Governor's Ball to be quite an evening, but I'm also hopeful that my friends' generosity will help my advocacy in Pass It Forward be just as successful."