Miss Universe Homecoming of Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran

The recent homecoming of Pia Wurtzbach brought back memories of the triumphant homecoming of the country’s first two Miss Universe titleholders. In 1969, Gloria Diaz became the first Filipina to win the crown followed in 1973 by Margie Moran.

Stella Marquez de Araneta, the first Miss International and the Bb Pilipinas Charities, Inc. Chairperson, had already produced two Miss Universes, one Miss International and a bunch of runners up & semifinal placements since getting the Miss Universe franchise in 1964 and the Miss International franchise in 1968

GLORIA DIAZ HOMECOMING

When asked what is the best thing about being Miss Universe, Gloria Diaz answered “I guess having done my best for the country” Gloria came home to a glorious welcome one bright day in August 1969.

 Glorious Homecoming

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MARGIE MORAN HOMECOMING

Just like Pia Wurtzbach, Margie Moran considers her homecoming as the most important part of winning the crown because it’s when you are finally home that you feel your triumph.  

For Margie, returning home to the cheers and warm welcome of our countrymen was the highlight of the whole winning—making the Filipinos proud, that was the biggest accomplishment.

Margie Moran  was accompanied by her father Francis, mother Rosario,

 sister Lulette, her six brothers, grandmother Nieves and uncle Eddie

Malacanang, 1973 

Nine days after winning the crown, she finally came home and welcomed by cheering countrymen who kept shouting “Mabuhay”. She was met at the airport by government officials, relatives and family.

Flower petals, confetti and ticker tape kept raining during her motorcade where she wore an aqua terno with her Miss Universe crown, sash & scepter. 

But more than the Miss Universe crown which is for a year’s reign, it’s really what Margie and Gloria have become and accomplished after their reign that defined them later in life.

Long May You Reign Gloria & Margie!

Thank You Philippines for the Best Miss Universe Homecoming Parade

Thousands came and lined up along the parade route as everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the country’s newest sensation & pride, Pia Wurtzbach who looked absolutely queenly and confidently beautiful on board her Miss Universe crown inspired float. 

The parade started at 2 pm and ended when dusk came yet people were excitedly gawking & waving at Pia and chanting her name.  

The unbelievably huge turnout and the overwhelming display of love given by our countrymen to our third Miss Universe titleholder has confirmed that we are a country that takes pride in our beautiful women and how we are lavish with praises and profuse with our compliments when our beauty queens wins an international crown especially the Miss Universe crown.

 selfie moment to capture the historic images

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Indeed, ours is a pageant- crazy nation that fiercely protects and supports its candidates in international pageants. In fact, the overwhelming support we give our beauty queens has been a source of both admiration and envy for other international beauty delegates particularly during the Miss Universe pageant season

 

This brings me back to a conversation I had with the Polish representative to Miss Earth 2002 when all 53 beauty delegates came here in Bohol for a pre- pageant activity at the Bohol Tropics Resort. The girls were touched by Boholanos’ warm welcome for them when they arrived in our island. Miss Poland remarked that Filipina beauty queens are luckier than their European counterparts when it comes to attention & support given to pageants.

building work stopped when Miss U
acknowledged the construction team
Photo Credits: Jonas Gaffud

More than just being a symbol of the winsome charm and global appeal of the Filipina, Pia Wurtzbach’s victory in the international arena has become an inspiration for Filipinos around the world and a timely reminder that anything is possible if we have the discipline, drive and determination.

Thank you Pia for reminding us! Mabuhay Ka!

Miss Universe Crowning Fiasco in Photos

Philippine pride Pia Wurtzbach who brought home our third Miss Universe crown has finally come home for her victory parade and thanksgiving.

 Pia Wurtzbach's official Miss Universe 2015 glamshot 

Later today, Pia will face the press to fill them in on her new life as Miss Universe and answer questions that are related to her responsibilities as spokesperson for the Miss Universe Org. Tomorrow,   Pia will be onboard her float for the ticker tape parade that will start at 9 am from Quezon City then City of Manila and finally to Makati City.

As Pia basks in the limelight and offers her victory to an adoring Philippines, let’s take a look back at the crowning moments of Miss Universe 2015 where first- time pageant host Steve Harvey wrongly announced Miss Colombia as the winner.

""It’s better to have been crowned and lost

Than not being crowned at all""

 from 80 to the final five

 the Top Three

 the lights continue to shine for Pia & Ariadna

 the last two girls standing

 it's Miss Colombia! 

 Ariadna cries for joy while Pia is led to her spot

it's a back- to- back for Colombia

 Ariadna proudly waves the Colombian flag

 a forlorn- looking Steve Harvey goes back 

 Steve Harvey apologizes to the crowd & to Ariadna

 a surprised Pia is patted on the back by Olivia 

 a bewildered & unbelieving Pia goes to centerstage 

 awkward & confusing moment

 Paulina's shining moment as reigning Miss Universe

 the Vanquished & the Victor

 Ariadna bravely smiles through the ordeal

 the gracious & well- bred ladies who congratulated Pia

 Pia  was the epitome of grace & humility during those
tense moments and came out the big winner

On hindsight, when I reviewed the Final Look segment in Miss Universe where pop supertar Seal serenades Pia with his hit song “Crazy”, I realized that the title of the song has unwittingly become the defining word for what the pageant has undergone last year from transfer of ownership to the crowning fiasco and the ensuing aftermath.

But one thing is for sure though; there is no sign that the Philippines’ crazy fascination with the Miss Universe pageant will show signs of abating. 

Long live Pia!