IMAGE Instagram @missuniverse

It’s confirmed: Miss Universe 2017 will be held in the Philippines.

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tao has announced today that Miss Universe will be returning to the country after 23 years despite President Duterte’s previous comments that he will not be spending money for it.

“I would like to inform everybody that the Miss Universe beauty pageant will be on January 30, 2017 here in the Philippines,” she said in a report by ABS-CBN, adding that the government will not be funding the event. “It will be the private sector that will shoulder the expenses.”

The last time the Philippines hosted Miss Universe was in 1994, where India's Sushmita Sen was crowned by Hataw Na! star and Miss Universe 1993 winner Dayanara Torres.

Twitter fans are excited about this positive development:

January 30, 2017. 
65th MISS UNIVERSE, PHILIPPINES! �

— SENYORA (@Senyora) July 28, 2016

Is this for real  ? @MissUniverse  will be held here in the Ph?  Clap clap clap! ð���ð��»ð���ð��»ð���ð��»  this is solo exciting! #missuniverse

— Mell E. Stevenson® (@YouveGotMELL22) July 28, 2016

Finally! MISS UNIVERSE 2016 will be held in the PHILIPPINES! ���

Rooting for Back-to-Back Win! ���

— • PiDo • (@philip_048) July 28, 2016

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THIS JUST IN: The 65th Miss Universe will be held in the Philippines. January 30, 2017 is officially a holigay! ���

— Side To Side (@regiegalvez) July 28, 2016

This is it! Miss Universe Pageant to be held in the Philippines on January 30,2017!  #MissUniverse

— Armon Etch Catin (@ArmonNavy) July 28, 2016

Wow! Philippines will be the host of Miss Universe 2016. Kabog!

— Theooooo (@teddycky06) July 28, 2016

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Philippines to host the next Miss Universe Pageant. Congratulations! Mag bunyi mga bekla! �

— Andrei Reyes (@TheAndreiReyes) July 28, 2016