Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – People come to remember and pay respect to the victims. They place roses at the tree of life that towers, in bloom at the monument for the dead, site of the fatal Davao blast.
More than two months after the terrifying incident that left 15 persons dead and 69 others injured, people say they have moved on.
The only sign of the trauma is the heavy police presence.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo visited the Roxas Night Market on Saturday, at the site of the deadly Davao blast. Despite bad memories of that event, Secretary Teo says there is no better way to move on but to look forward to Miss Universe 2016.
She says she is aggressively promoting Davao and Mindanao. And part of this plan is to bring at least 50 Miss Universe contestants here.
The girls will experience the good life the city has to offer.
Tour guide Ervin Bansot says Davao, like any city in the world that has suffered the trauma of a terrorist attack, is moving forward.
And he says Miss Universe is a great chance to showcase to the world all that is great about this city, in particular Davao’s diverse culture.
Part of the Miss Universe activities is a fashion show where the beauty contestants will showcase the diversity of the world’s culture. They will be wearing creations designed by Rene Salud and made up of traditional Mindanaoan weaves.
Their tours and activities will be showcased in the form of advertisements during the 3-hour worldwide telecast of the pageant.
And with 190 countries tuned in, tourism officials believe tourist arrivals are expected to hit record highs.
