Pia reaps Palace praise for poise, grace amid mix-up

MALACANANG yesterday praised newly crowned Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach for showing “tremendous poise and control” as comedian and pageant host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced her as first runner-up to Ariadna Gutierrez of Colombia.

The 26-year old Wurtzbach appeared at a loss of what to do when Harvey admitted that he committed a “horrible mistake” in announcing that Gutierrez had won, and that the crown rightfully belonged to the Filipina.

Just as Gutierrez was blowing kisses at the audience, Harvey returned to the stage and announced: “Okay folks… I have to apologize…

“Let me just take control of this. This is exactly what’s on the card. I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake. It was on the card.”

Harvey corrected the mix-up and awarded the crown to Wurtzbach. Gutierrez was named first runner-up and Olivia Jordan of the US placed second runner-up to complete the top three.

After personally apologizing to Wurtzbach and Gutierrez backstage, Harvey took to Twitter: “I’d like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible… Secondly, I’d like to apologize to the viewers at that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake… I don’t want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing.”

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Wurtzbach showed “tremendous poise and control” in the first few moments of the original announcement, “and even more tremendous graciousness when the real verdict was finally announced.”

It was a victory 42 years in the making. Wurtzbach became only the third Filipina to have won the Miss Universe title. Gloria Diaz first took it home in 1969, followed by Margarita Moran in 1973.