(From AFP)
Confetti rained down as tens of thousands of shrieking fans paralysed traffic in the Philippine capital on Monday to welcome the newly crowned Miss Universe, Pia Alonzo 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 designed in the fashion of 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.
Many others screamed and waved at Wurtzbach from the windows of their high-rise offices as bus loads 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.” Read More