It's no secret that Filipinos highly anticipate the annual Miss Universe pageants, so it's quite understandable when we at Preview decided to throw our own viewing party—after all, it's not every year the competition finds its host country in Manila! Though we expected a morning chock-full of laughs and excited screaming, we had no clue that it would turn out to be this fun. Below, see photos from our beauty queen-worthy stay at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila!
IMAGE Francis Perez
We spent the day before the competition kicking back for an afternoon tea at Club Millisime.
IMAGE Francis Perez
The official #PreviewIsGonnaMissU invite, designed by our Associate Art Director Eugene David!
IMAGE Francis Perez
Our favorite part of the pre-pageant dinner had to be the miso-encrusted salmon drizzled with black truffle sauce at Le Bar. Yum!
IMAGE Francis Perez
Our guests, Preview girls and their gay best friends, Jot Losa, Kam Chiu, NJ Torres, Mark Sablan, Nica Mendez, and Jigs Mayuga posed all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 7:30 the next morning! Not in photo: nervous beauty queen jitters.
IMAGE Francis Perez
Nica and Jigs enjoying the in-suite breakfast buffet against the breathtaking view of Manila Bay.
IMAGE Francis Perez
NJ and Mark pose for a cute, Preview-art-directed BFF photo out on the balcony.
IMAGE Francis Perez
How cute are Kam and Jot in their semi-matchy PJ sets?!
IMAGE Francis Perez
Revved and ready, complete with their Miss Universe replica crowns from SM Accessories.
IMAGE Francis Perez
OMG, #65thMissUniverse is finally starting!
IMAGE Francis Perez
Jot and Kam snap a quick selfie in between commercial breaks.
IMAGE Francis Perez
Yes, Maxine made it to the top 13! Those looks of bemused relief, tho.
IMAGE Francis Perez
Kam is all of us, watching the pageant with collectively bated breaths and dropped jaws.
IMAGE Francis Perez
Dedicating a health juice toast to Maxine, who slips into the top 6! Whew, close call!
IMAGE Francis Perez
"Ayan na, ayan na!" Jigs frantically waving everyone to attention as Maxine's question-and-answer portion begins.
IMAGE Francis Perez
Barely breathing as Miss Philippines goes on speaking.
IMAGE Francis Perez
Mark hides behind a pillow, hardly able to take the suspense.
IMAGE Francis Perez
A gut-busting mix of emotions and reactions as Maxine exits the stage.
IMAGE Francis Perez
Whatever Nica said to deserve Jigs' playful pillow bat, we're pretty sure it was hilariously witty.
IMAGE Francis Perez
NJ comforting an aggravated Nica after Miss Philippines fails to make it to the top 3.
IMAGE Francis Perez
France's bet Iris Mittenaere is officially Miss Universe 2016!
IMAGE Francis Perez
A relaxed group shot after the excitement subsided. 'Til next time, Preview Girls!
All photos by Francis Perez
