Entertainment

IN PHOTOS: Pia Wurtzbach impresses at 2015 Miss Universe prelims

December 17, 2015 | 6:30am

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine bet Pia Wurtzbach emerged as one of the favorites at the preliminary competition of the 64th Miss Universe pageant on Wednesday (Thursday morning, Philippine time).

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The 26-year-old beauty queen joined 79 other candidates in the prelims, which will determine who will emerge as the top 15 candidates during pageant night at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 20 (December 21, Philippine time).

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, on stage in fashion by Sherri Hill and footwear by Chinese Laundry during the opening of The 2015 MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Wednesday, December 16, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Darren Decker

Pia wore a silver sequined dress during the show’s introduction portion and donned a Yamamay black-and-white two-piece bikini during the swimwear portion.

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, competes on stage in Yamamay swimwear featuring footwear by Chinese Laundry during The 2015 MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Wednesday, December 16, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Darren Decker

Weronika Szmajdzi?ska, Miss Universe Poland 2015, and Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, compete on stage in Yamamay swimwear featuring footwear by Chinese Laundry during The 2015 MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Wednesday, December 16, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Patrick Prather

For the evening gown competition, Pia wore a red gown by Oliver Tolentino. This is in response to the flak the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. received earlier this year during the 63rd Miss Universe competition, when Mary Jean Lastimosa wore a dress by a Colombian designer.

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, competes on stage in her evening gown during The 2015 MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Wednesday, December 16, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Darren Decker

The Filipina celebrity was among the favorites online after the preliminary competition. 2010 Miss Universe Ximene Navarette even said on Twitter that Pia was one of the bets for this year’s pageant.

Pia has been participating in various Miss Universe pre-pageant events since earlier this month.