Regal welcome awaits Miss Universe

MANILA, Philippines - A welcome fit for a queen awaits Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach when she comes home two Saturdays from now, a month after she was crowned Miss Universe 2015 in Las Vegas on Dec. 21 in what turned out to be the most controversial and most talked-about presentation of the most prestigious beauty contest in the world.

Besides breaking the country’s 42-year drought by bringing back the crown after Margie Moran in 1973, Pia holds the record for being a “never say never” beauty queen, having won the Bb. Pilipinas title only on her third try, determined as she was in pursuit of her long-time dream.

“Pia will arrive at around 8:30 in the evening of Jan. 23,” confirmed Stella Marquez-Araneta, head of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) which has been holding the search for Binibining Piilipinas beauties since 1964, first won by the late Mryna Panlilio-Borromeo. “But Pia will stay in the country for only six days. Her schedule is very tight.”

From New York, her home during her year-long reign, Pia will fly to Jakarta to fulfill a commitment entered into by the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and an Indonesian company which specified that whoever won Miss Universe would grace the event. She will be accompanied by two MUO officials.

It was also in Indonesia in 2013 where another Filipina, Megan Young, won the country’s first Miss World crown.

On Pia’ second day home, Jan. 24, she will rest for at least 10 hours (a “must” for Miss U title-holders) before she is made up for a press conference scheduled at 6 p.m. at the newly-opened Novotel Hotel beside the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, her home during her homecoming.

Pia is expected to be asked the same questions that she has been answering in media interviews after the pageant and soon after, including last Monday when she made a round of interviews for various TV stations in New York to kick off her official duties as Miss Universe.

On the third day, Jan. 25, Pia will star in a grand welcome parade the Filipinos haven’t seen since Margie came home from Athens where she won the title. The parade will start at the Novotel Araneta Center at 9 a.m., with first stop at 10 a.m. at the Quezon City Memorial Circle for a courtesy call on QC Mayor Herbert Bautista ands the QC youth before proceeding to Manila at 11 a.m. for another courtesy call on Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada at the Rizal Park.

At 1:30 p.m. of the same day, the parade will have a pitstop at Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City and then continue at 3 p.m. to Ayala Avenue in Makati City for the assembly at the Ayala Fire Station. The parade starts at 4 p.m., back to the Novotel Araneta Center at 5 p.m.

“It will be a very busy day for Pia on Tuesday, Jan.  26,” added Araneta.

At 10 a.m. that day, Pia will pay Congress (in Quezon City) a courtesy visit and then proceed to the Senate (in Manila) right after. The afternoon is set aside as Charity Day.

“Pia is well-prepared for the hectic schedule,” added Araneta, who will accompany Pia in most of the activities. “She has the stamina for it.”

On Jan. 27, Thursday, Pia will make a courtesy call on President Aquino in Malacañang at 10 a.m. and devote the whole afternoon to rehearsals for a planned TV special to be staged at the Araneta Coliseum the next day, Jan. 28.

On Friday, Jan. 29, Pia will depart for New York to resume her duties as Miss Universe that entails extensive travels to different parts of the world.