Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach returns to the Philippines
FANS lined the streets of Manila to Makati City as Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the newly-crowned Miss Universe 2015, traveled by float in her homecoming parade on January 25.
The float traveled for more than three hours from the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila, down Roxas Boulevard to Ayala Avenue in Makati City. At one point it rained, but the weather did not stop adoring Filipinos hoping for a selfie with the beauty queen from attending.
With thousands of supporters present, Wurtzbach smiled and waved a Filipino flag to the crowd, wearing her signature crown and a teal dress by Filipino designer Albert Andrada with traditional butterfly sleeves. She stood elegantly on top of a decorative float with her parade band, surrounded by police escorts.
The parade was one of the nearly week-long homecoming in the Philippines, which will end in a grand parade and show at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Jan. 28. Wurtzbach told press that she would also be advocating for HIV awareness and testing, as well as disaster relief, while visiting her home country and attending to her duties as Miss Universe.
Wurtzbach also visited Malacañang Palace, home of President Benigno Aquino III, and paid a courtesy call to the President, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and the Philippine Senate.
“We’re erasing the image that Filipinas are not palaban [fighters], because in fact we are,” she said following the visit. “We go out there and we’re brave and fearless…much more different than what people think we used to be. I think that speaks on how modern we are now.”
She also confirmed her appearance as a special correspondent at this year’s 50th Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers on February 7.
“I see it as a great compliment. It is a great way of me connecting to more people and being recognized, not only as Pia and as Miss Universe, but as a Filipina,” she said, according to CNN Philippines.
Wurtzbach, 26, is the Philippines’ first Miss Universe in 42 years, since Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floirendo was crowned in 1973.
Last year, beauty queen Filipinas also took over the pageant scene with Trixie Maristela’s victory in the Miss International Queen, Ann Lorraine Colis’ win in Miss Globe, Angelia Ong’s big success in the Miss Earth, Leren Mae Bautista’s high accomplishment in Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International, and Wurtzbach’s renowned triumph in the Miss Universe.
“It’s good that we’re finally getting the recognition that I think we deserve,” Wurtzbach said.
