Former PHL's Miss Universe bets laud Pia Wurtzbach's win

Filipina beauty queen Pia Wurtzbach on Monday was named the new Miss Universe-- a title that had eluded the Philippines for 42 years.

 

Despite a mix-up that made headlines, the 26-year-old stunner had the entire country overflowing with pride, including those who represented the country in the same pageant before her. 

 

In an interview with GMA News TV's "Quick Response Team", 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran praised Wurtzbach for doing a very good job. 

 

"She acted like a winner 'til the very end... Para sa akin, kasama [talaga] sa top three natin si Pia," she said. 

 

Moran also reminded Wurtzbach to use her victory to push for her advocacies such as HIV/AIDS awareness in the country. 

 

"In our country where HIV is really a growing epidemic, she should stick by that and use that as her advocacy," she said in a report by Marisol Abdurahman on GMA-7's "24 Oras."  

 

Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup also pointed out that Wurtzbach proved, once again, that the beauty and intelligence of the Filipina was world-class. 

 

"Doon sa top three question and answer portion, she had the best answer," she said. 

 

Miss Universe 1999 first runner-up Miriam Quiambao agreed with Supsup. 

 

"Her final answer... Of the three, hers was really the best," she said. 

 

For the question and answer portion, the beauty contestants were asked separately why they should be named Miss Universe. 

 

"To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and a responsibility... I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness, that is timely and relevant to my country," she said.

 

"I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart," she said. — Trisha Macas/BP/DVM, GMA News