Former Miss USA titleholders Olivia Jordan and Nia Sanchez arrived in the Philippines on Monday morning to watch the 65th Miss Universe pageant in Manila next week.
Jordan, a close friend of reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, said she was very excited to be back in the country after her short stay here last year, when she sat as judge of the Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant.
READ: Olivia Jordan to be back to PH for Miss Universe tilt
“Counting my blessings. Have to pinch myself that I am back in the #Philippines. Thank you for the beautiful welcome this morning! Battling a little jet lag at the moment and then I look forward to meeting more of you tonight! I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Jordan wrote on Instagram.
The Miss Universe 2015 secondrunner-up said she would be cheering for the United States’ representative in the pageant this year, Deshauna Barber, and Wurtzbach, who is set to pass on her crown as reigning titleholder.
Sanchez, who finished first runner-up in Miss Universe 2014, said she was looking forward to meet the contestants this year and reunite with her batchmate, Miss Universe Philippines 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa.
“Hello Manila! Just arrived and ready to explore with @theoliviajordan! I can’t believe we are here to watch #MissUniverse2016. Can’t wait to see you @mj_lastimosa 🇵🇭,” Sanchez wrote.
“Just finished breakfast with @theoliviajordan at our beautiful hotel! #MU2014reunion photos and videos coming very soon! Can’t wait to see my #ClassOf2014 girls, and can’t wait to head to rehearsals to meet all of the #MissUniverse2016 ladies! Stay tuned for tons of behind the scenes clips here!” she added.
The Miss Universe coronation night will be held on Jan. 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. YG/RAM