Pia wants to enter politics

MANILA, Philippines - “She intimated to me that she wants to join politics. Given her politically conscious response to the questions, I am not surprised,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said after the chamber welcomed Wurtzbach.

“The questions were very political – the presence of the American bases and US troops, the matter on HIV, her views on a number of critical issues,” he said, referring to the question and answer portion of the pageant last December.

Confetti rained down as tens of thousands of shrieking admirers paralyzed traffic in Manila yesterday to welcome Wurtzbach.

The 26-year-old model and actress, looking regal in a flowing blue-green gown, waved the Philippine flag while perched on a float, the design of which was based on her diamond and sapphire crown.

The adoring crowd, many of whom stepped out of their offices and schools, jammed Manila’s streets and snapped pictures of only the third Filipina to win the Miss Universe title.

Others screamed and waved at Wurtzbach from the windows of their high-rise offices as busloads of policemen were deployed to secure the homecoming parade.

“We are very proud that the new Miss Universe is from the Philippines. We’ve waited 42 years for this,” nurse Rosalinda Shappit, 61, who sneaked out of work to catch a glimpse of Wurtzbach, told AFP at the parade.

“Life is hard, but her victory somehow gives us hope,” Shappit said.

“We’ve been waiting for this crown for a long time now,” Wurtzbach told journlists on Sunday.

“I don’t think a lot of people know how big of a deal Miss Universe is to the Philippines. It brings a lot of honor and a lot of pride to the country,” she said.

Uplifting the nation         

Wurtzbach fan Miguelito Herrera, 47, traveled four hours by bus from Cabanatuan City to join the parade.

Herrera credited his love of beauty pageants with helping him overcome bouts of depression after he was laid off from his job as a soda salesman in 2003, and after his mother died from heat stroke in 2013.

Being unemployed, Herrera said he had no money to see a psychologist.

“When I see beauty queens, the feeling is so uplifting. It’s like we can endure so much, so many problems. They inspire a lot of people,” Herrera told AFP.

Like many other Filipinas who have been successful in international pageants, the Philippine-German Wurtzbach is poised for a successful career in entertainment.

She told AFP on Sunday that she had her eyes set on a Hollywood career.

“I want to be the Filipina Bond girl,” said Wurtzbach, who was a model and television actress before her breakthrough moment.

Drilon, vice chairman of the administration Liberal Party (LP), advised Wurtzbach to “be an advocate of the issues that she has expressed her opinions on” if she’s really interested in joining government.

“I advised her to first try her hand in some appointed positions where she can push her advocacy, rather than join politics in an election.” 

The Senate chief was obviously taken with the beauty queen, whom he noted to be “very politically aware.”

“That’s very admirable for her to say that. Given the political divide that we see today, for her to express her interest in politics is something that is admirable for a young woman,” he said.

Drilon, however, pointed out that Wurtzbach’s interest in politics should not be equated to her joining the LP.

“She is interested in pushing her advocacies. That should not be necessarily equated with joining a political party.”

Wurtzbach arrived at the Senate at past 10 a.m. in a convoy of cars and security escorts. She was given the official recognition of the Senate for her victory as Miss Universe 2015.

She was not wearing her crown and unlike other beauty queens and accomplished Filipinos, she did not receive her recognition at the Senate hall since there was no session during her visit.

Drilon said her visit drew more attention than the Senate inquiry on the Mamasapano massacre, noting the Senate executives who filled the Claro M. Recto room seemed to be there just to see Miss Universe.

Wurtzbach was almost mobbed by Senate employees, including security personnel, wanting to have their photos taken with her.

Proud to be Filipina

Wurtzbach is grateful for the people’s support, saying she is happy to give honor and pride to the country.

“I feel like I haven’t been home in a while although it’s just been two weeks. I am very happy to see everybody. This is my first time to see everybody up close,” she said in her acceptance speech.

“While I was walking on the stage that night in my two gowns and everybody was waving the Philippine flag, it was really a memorable moment. I am really so proud to be a Filipina. Thank you so much everyone.” 

She invited the public to a show set later this week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, before preparing for her grand motorcade for the day.

Drilon and Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, vice-chairman of the Senate committee on tourism, presented Wurtzbach with a copy of Senate Resolution 1697, congratulating her for winning the 2015 Miss Universe crown.

Great Filipinos

Senate Resolution 1697 recognized Wurtbach’s positive attitude and determination to fulfill her dream of winning the Miss Universe title.

She was also credited for being a positive example and great inspiration to her countrymen.

“For a country that is very proud of the intelligence, talent and beauty of its women, this is indeed a great reason to celebrate. Like our boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, Pia unites our nation at a time when various issues divide us. Except that she comes in a prettier package,” Drilon said.

The Senate chief recognized how Wurtzbach persevered to win the crown, ending the Philippines’ over four- decade drought. 

“Your fierce faith in God, determination and the strong support of the people who love you and believe in you, brought you to where you are now,” he said.

Drilon said the Senate supports Wurtzbach in her fight against HIV.

“Pia’s life story has inspired millions of Filipinos. I hope she will continue to use her voice to influence the Filipino youth in nation-building.”

He thanked Wurtzbach for bringing pride and honor to the country.

Noy meeting

Wurtzbach will meet with President Aquino in a courtesy call at Malacañang today.

The 55-year-old bachelor President is expecting Wurtzbach – whom he had met before she won the title – at the Palace and had extended his congratulations to her early this year.

“I’m glad that she achieved one of her dreams. That point when she really did her best and deserved to win. We have seen the sacrifices involved for someone to attain that level,” Aquino told journalists during a chance interview in Davao City on Jan. 8.

As a friend, Aquino said he was glad that Wurtzbach won the Miss Universe title, even as the host mistakenly announced Miss Colombia as the winner before rectifying his mistake shortly after.

Days before Christmas, when Aquino was about to sign the P3-trillion 2016 national budget, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. teased him about Wurtzbach, to whom he was romantically linked earlier.

“Isang Miss Universe na umaga sa inyong lahat (A Miss Universe morning to you all),” Ochoa joked, as he was about to introduce the President for the ceremonial signing of the budget.

Aquino replied: “Executive Secretary at kumpare ko pa na nagmula ang relasyon natin sa ating mga magulang, sinira mo itong araw na ito. (Executive secretary and old friend dating back to the friendship of our parents, you’ve ruined my day).”

This drew laughter from the crowd composed mostly of government officials and journalists who covered the event, which was the last budget measure Aquino approved before his term ends on June 30.

While Aquino has generally managed to keep his private life to himself, it was his sister, movie celebrity and television host Kris Aquino, who confirmed that he had dated Wurtzbach.

Kris believes the former Binibining Pilipinas was just being kind to accommodate the President, who had given Wutzbach flowers, and that she thinks the beauty queen didn’t like him. – With Delon Porcalla, Jose Rodel Clapano, Mike Frialde