MISS Universe Pia Wurtzbach basked in loud chants and cheers as she was welcomed by pageant enthusiasts at her grand homecoming show Thursday evening at the Smart-Araneta Colisuem in Cubao, Quezon City.
Organized by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated and ABS-CBN, the two-hour program gave a fitting welcome and recognition to the new queen.
Kapamilya top leading men Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby serenaded Wurtzbach while Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Gerphil Flores and Yeng Constantino provided the evening's entertainment.
(Video by Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)
Aside from the much-awaited walk of Wurtzbach, the evening proved to be a night of beauty and glamour as the show also acknowledged former beauty queens.
Among those who graced the event were Criselda Flores, Miriam Quiambao, Nina Ricci Alagao, Bianca Manalo, Venus Raj, and 1973 Miss Universe Margarita "Margie" Moran.
Moran even joined Wurtzbach during her Miss Universe walk, which the latter failed to do after the controversial Steve Harvey gaffe during the pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Thank you very everybody for the continuous support. I did this for our country. I've never been proud to be a Filipina and I thank everyone who woke up early to vote for the global fan vote. Thank you very much for waving the Philippine flag, it was a great confidence boost," she said.
Pia’s loyal supporters
Staunch supporters of Wurtzbach also rallied to Smart-Araneta to celebrate with the newly crowned Miss Universe.
Peabo Orilla, a pageant fan since 1994, donned a blue gown and was all made up for the occasion.
He said that since the arrival of Wurtzbach last Friday, it was like Christmas morning for him.
"I'm such a fan of Pia even before pa siya nag pageant. Nagkataon na siya pa yung nag title kaya it's an honor for the country. During the parade, nung dumating siya sa airport, naiyak na talaga ako. Yung feeling na very overwhelmed. Kasi sabi nga nya yung parade, yung crown ay hindi lang para sa kanya but for the whole country," Orilla said.
Meanwhile, Quezon City resident Amante Amante hopes Wurtzbach will remain level headed and she will continue bringing positive vibes not only to the country, but in other places as well.
Amante, a member of Pianatics, one of the fan groups of Wurtzbach, said the latter's win is a culmination of a three-year campaign for the coveted title.
"Nung in-announce na siya, nagsigawan na kami. Super happy kami na ito na yung moment na inantay namin. Worth it lahat ng pagod since 2013, lahat ng pag-aantay."
Just like Orilla and Amante, close friends Vinzon Booc and Fritzgerald Villano went to the Araneta wearing their winning gown, a replica of Wurtzbach's winning gown.
The two shared that right after Pia was crowned as the new Miss Universe, they immediately commissioned a seamstress to copy Albert Andrada's royal blue gown.
"I'm a big fan of Pia Wurtzbach and we are really inspired by her," Villano said.
Booc added that it doesn't matter even if they spend money just to show their appreciation and love for Pia.
"We love her. Pia's win, it was mixed emotions. Nung na-announce na siya yung nanalo, na uplift yung spirit ng mga Filipinos."
As for Cagayan de Oro native Swen Abdula, he's happy to finally see Wurtzbach in flesh but hopeful that the latter will visit their province soon.
"I went here just to witness the historic homecoming parade of Pia Wurtzbach, my kababayan. I love her, I admire her and she's an insipiration to everyone. She deserves all what she has now."
"I feel sad for our kababayans but I know in the near future, maybe in April, ay makakapunta siya."
Since her return on January 22, Wurtzbach graced numerous engagements, from the grand parade, to her courtesy call in Malacanang, up to the homecoming event at ABS-CBN.
Jonas Gaffud, Wurtzbach's trainer, said it was tiring but the latter feels great to be back with her kababayans.
He said the support and love have been overwhelming. (Sunnex)