The Metro Manila Development Authority on Thursday said it would close the northbound lane of Ayala Avenue in Makati City from Gil Puyat Avenue to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue to give way for the hero’s welcome and grand parade for Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach on Monday.
MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos also ordered lawyer Crisanto Saruca, head of the agency’s Traffic Discipline Office, to deploy 150 personnel tasked to manage traffic in the areas affected by the parade. He added that the Ayala Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning 3 p.m. on Monday.
MMDA released the itinerary of the grand parade. It will start at 2 p.m. from Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City to Atang Dela Rama Street, right turn to Vicente Sotto Street, left turn to F. Ma. Guerrero Street, right turn to Bukaneg Street, left turn to Roxas Boulevard, right turn to Padre Burgos Street in Manila towards Taft Avenue, right turn to Finance Road, right to Taft Avenue, right turn to Quirino Avenue, left to Roxas Boulevard, left to Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, left turn to Ayala Avenue, u-turn to Ayala-Makati Fire Station, going to Ayala Avenue, to Rustan’s.
Carlos advised motorists to take alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion in the affected areas.
The city government of Makati also prepared a hero’s welcome for Miss Wurtzbach for two consecutive days, with a victory parade along Ayala Avenue on Monday, and a huge assembly at the City Hall when the beauty queen pays a courtesy call on the mayor on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
Acting Mayor Romulo Peña said city residents and employees are eager to see Wurtzbach in the flesh after she has brought pride and honor to the nation by winning the coveted crown, outshining 79 other candidates from nations all over the world at the coronation night last Dec. 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
“Makati is very proud of Ms. Wurtzbach for reclaiming the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines after 42 long years. She has inspired millions of people around the world, including the people of Makati, with her indomitable spirit and extraordinary determination to realize her dream,” Peña said.
He noted that it took Wurtzbach three attempts in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant before she finally earned the chance to represent the country as its official candidate in the Miss Universe 2015 pageant.
Peña said city government employees are also excited to see the newly-crowned Miss Universe in person when she comes to his office for a courtesy call on Tuesday. Wurtzbach is expected to arrive at City Hall at around 11:30 a.m., accompanied by officials of the Miss Universe Organization and Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.
According to the latest advice from the organizers, the grand victory parade on Monday will start at around 1:30 p.m. from Hotel Sofitel along Roxas Boulevard, then proceed towards Buendia (Gil Puyat) Avenue in Makati. It will make a pitstop at the Makati Fire Station along Ayala Avenue before proceeding towards Rustan’s Ayala, where the parade will end.
While traversing Ayala Avenue, Miss Universe 2015 and her entourage will be greeted by confetti showers from Makati business establishments, while Makati students from nearby schools will also be invited to witness the grand event.
Traffic enforcers from the Makati Public Safety Department (MAPSA) will be deployed to manage traffic and control the crowd in all strategic locations along the parade route in the city.
The 26-year old Filipina-German model and actress is the third Miss Universe winner from the Philippines. The other two are Gloria Diaz (Miss Universe 1969) and Margie Moran (Miss Universe 1973).