Thousands of people from all walks of life trooped to the streets of Metropolitan Manila to see and greet the most beautiful woman in the universe. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, glowing in an emerald green terno and wearing the crystal-blue topaz/sapphire and diamond Miss Universe crown worth $300,000, waved and blew kisses to the joyous and screaming crowd, some even coming from the provinces, as Pia’s ticker-tape parade passed from Sofitel Hotel to Taft, Quirino and Gil Puyat avenues and ended with a confetti shower along Ayala avenue.
It was a momentous event unmatched in recorded parades for a homecoming queen as office workers, students, teachers and ordinary folks, young and old, took time out eager to join in the celebration, forgetting the hassles of everyday life as metro traffic stood still all for the Filipinos’ love for pageantry. Pia must have sung “Don’t Rain on My Parade” as the rain stopped and a pair of rainbow appeared.
(Photos by PO1 Lee Delmo and BPCI)
Pia rode on an especially built white and royal blue float with a crown designed upfront created by Fritz Solirio. She was treated to a water salute by the MMDA as her limousine crossed the Guadalupe Pasig Bridge before she finally reached Araneta at dusk for the second part of the parade. She took a brief rest at the Novotel Hotel, her official residence for her week stay in the country, changed into an elegant white gown and with a slight sunburn, rode a smaller float to greet an even large record crowd patiently waiting for her around Araneta Center in Cubao.
Pia got emotional and shed tears upon hearing the fireworks display made in her honor signaling the end of her long victory parade and after she met a group of sick and poor children beneficiaries of the Bb. Pilipinas Foundation, Inc. (BPCI). She thanked everyone for joining her in the event and dedicated her winning crown to all her countrymen.
Pia has received tremendous support and adulation from the Filipinos, from flowers and gifts, such as Pia dolls, cookies and pastries with her face, a specially designed blue and crown-shaped cake and a bejeweled necktie with her Miss Universe image. A cute poodle dressed in a blue gown with matching Miss Universe sash played with the crowd around Novotel Hotel, an expression of how grateful and appreciative the people, especially the young, to see the crowning of a Filipina Miss Universe in this day and age.
Pia’s victory parade was part of a hectic public engagement before she returns to New York. She was at the homecoming press conference held at Novotel’s Monet Ballroom on Sunday afternoon with local and international media accompanied by BPCI chairperson Stella Marquez Araneta and Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart who said that she was always amazed by the new Miss Universe. Pia’s mother, Cheryl Alonzo Tyndall, also graced the event.
Pia was able to reveal her plans as Miss Universe including addressing social issues like HIV awareness. She also took the opportunity to thank the Philippine National Police for the assistance in providing security during all her activities, especially the metro wide parade. The new Miss Universe also paid a courtesy call to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada who declared her an adopted daughter of the city, and where she advised the youth to persevere, study harder and never disobey their parents.
Pia was honored by the House of Representatives and the Senate in short ceremonies as they presented her with resolutions acknowledging her winning the Miss Universe pageant. Senators Grace Poe, Juan Edgardo Angara and Senate President Franklin Drilon congratulated.
Pia was also in Malacanang for a courtesy call on President Noynoy Aquino, and attended the wedding of her best friend, actress Pauline Luna to comedian Vic Sotto yesterday.