The City of Pines welcomed with open arms reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and 24 Miss Universe candidates in cool morning air, lovely fresh flowers and warm smiles from thousands of people from all walks of life who trooped along the parade route reminiscent of the January 2016 homecoming victory parade for the country’s third Miss Universe.
Baguio City folks, young and old, tourists and students on a one-day holiday cheered up Wurtzbach and the lovely beauties from around the world who rode in four different floats representing the Baguio Country Club (BCC) and the regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in a morning-long Panagbenga-styled and street-dancing parade showcasing the popular annual flower festival of the country’s Summer Capital. Lovely sunflower decorated the Luzon float while the Masskara festival and colorful Muslim vintas for the Visayas and Mindanao floats, respectively.
Earlier, the 24 candidates were treated upon their arrival at Loakan Airport by two platoons of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2018 with a silent drill. The cadets also performed a modern dance medley and offered roses to the delight of the visiting candidates. They were Australia’s Caris Tiivel, Colombia’s Andrea Tovar, Peru’s Valeria Piazza, Puerto Rico’s Brenda Jimenez, Spain’s Noelia Freire, Albania’s Lindita Idrizi, Aruba’s Charlene Leslie, Barbados’ Shannon Harris, France’s Iris Mittenaere, Guam’s Muneka Joy Cruz Taisipic, Haiti’s Raquel Pelissier, Israel’s Yam Kaspers Anshel, Italy’s Sophia Sergio, Kenya’s Mary Esther Were, Korea’s Jenny Kim, Kosovo’s Camila Barraza, Malta’s Martha Fenech, Mauritius’ Kushboo Ramnawaj, New Zealand’s Tania Dawson, Norway’s Christina Waage, Slovenia’s Lucija Potočnik, South Africa’s Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, Sweden’s Ida Ovmar and US Virgin Islands’ Carolyn Carter.
They were joined by Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson who later in the day took Wurtzbach for a ride in the city’s ‘Jeepito.’
With adequate security plan provided by the Baguio City Police Office led by Police Senior Superintendent Ramil Saculles, the parade started off in Upper Session Road to South Drive and ended at the BCC where the beauties took their lunch. A sample of highland Cordillera culture were also experienced by the select group of candidates with strawberry-picking and tree-planting at the BCC backyard.
Baguio native Jordan Mang-osan demonstrated the unique solar painting to Wurtzbach and the candidates after the unveil the Miss Universe’s solar-painted self-portrait. National artist and international award-winning director Kidlat Tahimik also spoke about the Cordillera spirit and culture. Prior to this, they danced with the Hapiyoh-mi culture and arts. A formal gala dinner at Infinity Garden capped the ancillary Baguio event of the ongoing-Miss Universe competition. Special Report by Eton B. Concepcion
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