“She can be our next Miss Universe, the 3rd Miss Universe from the Philippines,” Mikey Gatal said of the Philippines’ Miss Universe bet, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

 

Gatal and his friends–Andy Doria, John Serate, Dr. Emmylou Sagaral, Rey Reformina, Paulina Gonzales, Bessie Besina and Lawrence Aizon–had left Los Angeles, California on Friday to head to Las Vegas, Nevada to watch the 64th Miss Universe Pageant.

 

The pageant night will be held at The Axis in Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino on Dec. 20 (Monday morning, Manila time).

 

Gatal, a medical representative, said through Viber that they searched for flights to Las Vegas a month ago to support Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

 

Gatal, Doria, and Serate were in the same group when they watched the Miss Universe in 2006.

 

Gatal said Wurtzbach made jaws drop throughout the duration of the pageant.

 

Filipino fans arrived in huge numbers as they usually do, waving Philippine flags and chanting ‘Pia! Pia!’

 

“Her presence is strong. We are captivated by Pia,” he told Inquirer on Viber.

 

Wurtzbach, according to Gatal, said she felt she never left home and she felt the love of her kababayans.

 

Gatal said Wurtzbach has the chance of winning the crown.

 

“I believe this is Pia’s time. She is very fierce, very lovable and most of all, she very intelligent as well,” he said.

 

For Digal, “Wurtzbach is a complete package: Beauty, grace and brains.”

 

Also seen at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino were Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. chairperson Madame Stella Araneta and Filipino designer Albert Andrada who created the capiz terno in the national costume presentation.

 

The Philippines has two Miss Universe titles. The first was in 1969 which was won by Gloria Diaz and then in 1973, by Margie Moran.

 

 

Other Miss Philippines contestants who made it to the top 5 were Miriam Quimbao, Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon and Ariella Arida.