Photos by: Eton Concepcion
There was no teleprompter that said “Philippines, please take your first walk as Miss Universe” when Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, wearing her sash and crown and the same royal blue evening gown, made her victory walk she was denied of due to the crowning fiasco when she won in Las Vegas a month ago, during her homecoming special held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Thursday evening.
“Maraming salamat po sai nyong suporta, sana samahan ninyo ako sa aking journey bilang Miss Universe” (Thank you very much for all your support, I hope that you will join me in my journey as Miss Universe), Wurtzbach’s taped voice played out as she walked the stage amidst cheers and shouts of ‘Pia’ from the flag-waving Filipino audience.
Wurtzbach was joined on stage by Margie Moran, Miss Universe of 1973, while Stella Marquez Araneta, chairperson of Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) handed the beaming and overwhelmed queen a bouquet of flowers. The event was witnessed by Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and Esther Swan, MUO Road Manager.
Shugart said that she was very happy to see a Filipina win at Miss Universe during her 15 years with the prestigious pageant. “The Filipinos are the most passionate fans of the Miss Universe pageant and I thank them for that,” the very friendly and lovely Shugart added.
The long list of fellow Bb. Pilipinas beauty queens that graced Pia’s homecoming tribute included Simonettedelos Reyes-Ferraren (1970), Vida Doria-Legaspi (1971), ChiquiBrosas-Hahn (1975), Dang Cecilio-Palanca (1979), Maricar Mendoza-Du (1981), Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis (1984), Joyce Ann Burton-Titular (1985), Gem Padilla-Thomas (1990), Abbygale Arenas-de Leon (1997), Miriam Quiambao-Roberto (1999), Nina Ricci Alagao-Flores (2000), Karen Loren Agustin-Ostrea (2002), Gionna Cabrera (2005), Lia Andrea Ramos-Moss (2006), Bianca Manalo (2009), Venus Raj (2010) and AraArida (2013). Missed were ShamceySupsup, who has recently given birth to a baby girl, and Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, who was out of the country.
Pia’s batchmates Bea Santiago, Mutya Datul and Cindy Miranda were also at the big dome; also Lara Quigaman-Alcaraz, Jennette Fernando-Dizon, LiaAndanar-Yu, Issa Gonzales, Gladys Dueñas, Patty Betita, Alma Concecpion, PeachieSacasas-Alimurung, DenilleValmonte-Valera, Carlene Aguilar-Ocampo, Patricia Fernandez-Garcia, Czarina Gatbonton, Dianne Necio and Kim Suiza.
Miss Universe Organization (MUO) president Paula Shugart, MUO talent director Esther Swan, Pia’s mom Cheryl Alonzo-Tindall and her sister Olive, who came all ways from Cagayan de Oro, also witnessed the grand spectacle.
The tribute also featured a one-on-one interview with TV host Boy Abunda where Pia clarified that she and President Aquino were just friends. Actors Piolo Pascual, SamMilby, Xian Lim, YengConstantino, Erik Santos and Gerphil Flores performed for the new Miss Universe.
Wurtzbach left for New York on Jan. 31 and is now an Inside Edition special correspondent at the Super Bowl. She will be back to crown her successor during the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 grand coronation at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 16.
