Malacañang hails Pia Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe win

Malacañang on Monday congratulated newly-crowned Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, calling her victory a "tremendous source of pride" for the Filipino people.

"In bagging this victory, Ms. Wurtzbach not only serves as a tremendous source of pride for our people, but also holds up the banner of our women and of our country as a true representative of what the Filipina can achieve," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press statement.

"Indeed, this triumph is the result not only of her beauty but also of her passion for positive change, as one who is confidently beautiful with the heart," he added.

Lacierda noted that the Philippines waited for 42 years before another Filipina was crowned Miss Universe.

Wurtzbach is the the third Filipina to win the crown after Gloria Diaz and Margarita Moran.

Malacañang also praised Wurtzbach's elegance and graciousness mid much confusion after host Steve Harvey initially announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner.

"In the first few moments of the original announcement, she showed tremendous poise and control, and even more tremendous graciousness when the real verdict was finally announced," said Lacierda. — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News