Miss Universe president says she’s proud of Pia Wurtzbach

Outgoing Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach did a wonderful job in her year-long reign, Paula Shugart, the pageant's president, said.

"Pia represented Miss Universe very well," Shugart said.

"She is proud to be a Filipina," she said, adding that Wurtzbach has been quite emotional before leaving New York City, where she was based during her reign.

"She was a little teary-eyed packing. But she said, 'I'm glad I'm going home to the Philippines because it makes it a lot easier to do this," she said.

The Miss Universe Organization president said Wurtzbach's successor must embrace the life that comes with the crown, as the outgoing Miss Universe has.

"Whoever the next winner is, I said, 'Make it your own.' Because Pia had made it... she had a very great reign," she said. 

Shugart and Wurtzbach, along with the 86 candidates for Miss Universe, are in the Philippines, host of this year's pageant.

Wurtzbach, the third Filipina to win the title, will pass on her crown at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Jan. 30.

After her reign, she will stay on at the Miss Universe Organization, this time as an ambassador. 

A series of endorsements and guestings are also lined up for her, including an appearance in the fifth cycle of the model search "Asia's Next Top Model."

Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation event live on GMA on January 30, beginning at 8 a.m. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News