All hail the queen

Those last two minutes had more drama and suspense than a reality TV show and a championship basketball game combined.

But when emcee Steve Harvey inadvertently declared Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo the 2015 Miss Universe winner, Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach showed the world—or the entire universe, rather, what a real queen was made of.

As these previous Filipino beauty titlists pointed out, Pia is a stunning showstopper—with or without a “crowning” moment.

RUFFA GUTIERREZ, Second Princess, Miss World 1993: It was a well-deserved, dramatic victory for the Philippines after 42 years! Congratulations to our new queen for making the nation tremendously proud. The crowning of the 64th Miss Universe will forever go down in history as one for the books.

PRECIOUS LARA QUIGAMAN, Miss International 2005: It’s about time! Year after year, I sit close to the TV screen, praying for victory. I nearly switched off the television when Colombia was announced the winner—thank God I didn’t! All our Miss Philippines candidates before Pia also deserved the crown, but this is our year—and Pia’s! She deserves every victory she has accomplished so far. She will be a great Miss Universe. What a beautiful Christmas gift to our country. I am still beaming with pride now!

SHAMCEY SUPSUP, Third runner-up, Miss Universe 2011: I am so proud of Pia! Finally, after 42 years, the Miss Universe crown is ours. Her victory is our victory and the victory of the Philippines, as well. We can’t wait to welcome her back and personally congratulate her for her superb performance and unwavering determination to bring home the crown!

ARIELLA ARIDA, Third runner-up, Miss Universe 2013: I’m still speechless, still in tears. I am so happy for her and our country! Thank you, Mars… oops, Miss Universe na pala… for making everyone’s dreams come true!

MIRIAM QUIAMBAO, First runner-up, Miss Universe 1999: I am happy and grateful that the Philippines finally won the crown after over four decades. Pia was deserving, and I love her answer in the final question. She nailed it! But what I love most about her is her grace and humility when she was finally correctly announced as the winner. I even saw a video of her joining the other ladies as they consoled the first runner-up, which I think is very nice and considerate of her.

BESSIE BADILLA, Miss Visayas, Miss Republic of the Philippines 1977: At first, I felt Pia was robbed because she definitely was the sure winner! From her magical national costume, her sultry swimsuit, her stunning blue Albert Andrada gown to her spot-on answers… Pia was the best! She was elegantly regal and had the stature of a queen all throughout. I felt sorry for Miss Colombia —that is the worse thing that could happen to any candidate. I also felt sad that Pia wasn’t able to have that “moment” of triumph, but even more sad for Steve because that mistake will haunt him all his professional life. All in all, it was a proud moment for Pia and the Filipino people. The best Christmas gift for all of us!

JENNIFER CORTEZ, Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 1978: What an amazing time for Pia and all Filipinos! Thank you Pia for being resilient and not giving up on your dreams. We’re so proud of our third Miss Universe, who is “confidently beautiful with a heart!” It was unfortunate that Pia was robbed of her crowning moment, but I feel worse for Miss Colombia for being humiliated in front of the world.

MARIA ISABEL LOPEZ, Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 1982: Our victory is way overdue! It was an upward spiral since [our previous Miss Universe bets] Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Ariella Arida. I am so proud that a fellow Cagayan de Oro lass grabbed the title after 42 years!

As for that awkward coronation night, I felt that it was better that the correction was made live onstage than after the pageant! I am sorry for Miss Colombia’s humiliation, but facts are facts—and the numbers speak for themselves! It is noteworthy that the Andrada gown greatly contributed to her victory. At last, our representative didn’t wear a Cumbria gown. Another triumph for Filipino designers after years of nonparticipation in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.