Philippine bet Pia Wurtzbach is taking home the crown, after host Steve Harvey admitted making a mistake in declaring Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez this year’s Miss Universe.
The 26-year-old beauty queen is proclaimed the 64th Miss Universe on Sunday (Monday morning, Philippine time) at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gutiérrez was named first runner-up, while Miss USA Olivia Jordan was named second runner-up.
In a bizarre twist, Harvey first announced that Gutierrez of Columbia won the Miss Universe pageant.
It was only several seconds later, after Gutierrez had worn the winner’s crown and hash, before Harvey realized that he announced the winner’s name wrong.
Pia bested 79 other delegates.
For the question and answer portion of the top five, Pia was asked: “Earlier this year, there was a controversy in the Philippines about the United States reopening of military base in your country. Do you think the United States should have a military presence in your country?”
The 26-year-old Pinay beauty queen answered: “I think that the United States and the Philippines have always had a good relationship with each other. We were colonized by the Americans and we have their culture and our traditions even up to this day and I think that we’re very welcoming with the Americans. And I don’t see any problem with that at all.”
Meanwhile, the final three contestants were asked why they think they should be the next Miss Universe.
“To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart. Thank you,” Pia said.
Pia won the Miss Universe Philippines title earlier this year, but her journey in the international pageant began years ago.
She joined the Binibining Pilipinas pageants in 2013 and 2014 before winning the top local title in 2015.
It can be remembered that Pia, after Manny Pacquiao’s loss to Floyd Mayweather in May, tweeted: “Kalma lang guys. Ako bahala. Babawi tayo sa Miss Universe!”
The celebrity and Star Magic artist, who has placed higher than 63rd Miss Universe Philippine bet Mary Jean Lastimosa, has delivered on that promise.
(Story courtesy Philstar.com)
