****Miss Universe 2016 - Complete Coverage - The Final Stretch!****

Miss Universe Albania Lindita Idrizi said she is happy to finally get the chance to visit the Philippines, adding that she can already tell that the people are warm and beautiful. 

Miss Universe Tanzania Jihan Dimack and Miss Universe Kenya Mary Esther Were, who arrived together, had similar praise for the Philippines. 

"I am representing my lovely country Kenya and it's wonderful to be here and meet all of you. Thank you so much for having us and we're looking forward to a lovely stay," Were said. 

A novelist and a marketing agent, Were explained that she wants to serve as proof to young women that you can be a working woman and pursue your passion at the same time. "That's the message I would like to pass across: that women can be all rounded. That you can enjoy both sides of your life."

Meanwhile, Dimack added that she wants to become an inspiration for those who pine for a modelling career. "I'll try my best to push everyone in the industry. There's so many young girls who want to be in the modelling industry but it's so difficult so if I do have a platform as Miss Universe, I'll try to pull them up through it."

With the arrival of the three, the number of candidates for the competition currently in the country is now at 12. More are expected to arrive before the official start of the two-week long pageant on Saturday. 

This is the first time in over two decades that the Philippines will host the Miss Universe pageant.