The pageant queen and the prez! Rumors that Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach may be dating the president of the Philippines, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, made the rounds on Monday, December 21, following her big win — but his talk show host sister, Kris Aquino, cleared the air.
The new Miss Universe, 26, has been linked to Benigno since this past spring, and even played coy about their possible romance while appearing on Kris’ talk show Aquino & Abunda Tonight this past March. “I know him,” Miss Philippines 2015 said at the time. “I talk to him, yes. He’s very fun to talk to.”
On Monday, Kris shared what really happened. The talk show host — who remains first lady of the Philippines because her brother, 55, is a bachelor — said that she and her three other sisters liked Wurtzbach for their brother. But the pageant beauty didn’t seem to be interested in the political leader.
“She could have denied [that they were dating],” the political scion, 44, said. “I don’t think she liked Noy … I think she entertained him but the thing is, you can tell from her character [that she’s] single-minded.”
While things haven’t exactly panned out for Wurtzbach and Noynoy, the president’s office released an official statement on Monday, December 21, lauding the newly crowned Miss Universe for her achievement.
“Today, the whole country unites in celebration over Ms. Pia Wurtzbach’s coronation as Miss Universe in the 2015 pageant in Las Vegas, USA,” the statement from the president’s spokesperson read. “Throughout her journey, Ms. Wurtzbach showcased to the world the characteristic beauty, intelligence, and elegance for which Filipinas are renowned. 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. We congratulate her for this success as the third Miss Universe of the Philippines, following in the footsteps of Ms. Gloria Diaz and Ms. Margie Moran-Floirendo.” (During the live broadcast, host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced first runner-up Miss Colombia as the winner when the honor actually belonged to Wurtzbach.)
“The tremendous support our countrymen have given Ms. Wurtzbach, from her Binibining Pilipinas title to the weeks leading up to the pageant, helped propel her to become a pageant favorite, and eventually led to her winning,” the statement from the president’s office continued. “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. 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. Over 42 years and today, once more the Philippines shines forth with joy and celebration.”
Wurtzbach, who’s half-German, half-Filipino, is the first Miss Philippines to be crowned Miss Universe since 1973. The beauty posted a photo on Tuesday of her makeup-free face and shared a message with fans. “My 1st day as #MissUniverse has officially begun!” she wrote on the Miss Universe Instagram account. “Starting it off fresh-faced and #ConfidentlyBeautiful.”
