For the first time, reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and F1 driver Marlon Stockinger made their first public appearance as a couple during a tribute to the beauty queen at a hotel in Pasay City last Sunday night.
“I am just happy to celebrate this for her. Everyone is here to come and support. I am just very very proud,” said Stockinger, during an interview on ABS-CBN.
The Filipino-Swiss driver said that Wurtzbach should rest for awhile after her reign before she could resume work. “Soak it in, enjoy it and just be proud of what she has accomplished.”
Earlier this month, Wurtzbach admitted that she is in a relationship with Stockinger.
“We are together,” said Wurtzbach in a recent interview with the Kapamilya network. “I’m glad that I finally met somebody who’s very secure with himself and who understands my job, and who’s not afraid to let me have my moment such as right now, now that the competition is happening here. He’s very understanding and we really get along.”
Stockinger and Wurtzbach have been constant dates since they met in New York last September.
Both greeted New Year as they spent the holidays in Hawaii.
Stockinger also said that he would not stop Wurtzbach from doing what she wants to do.
“I say, ‘Just go for it, always go and work hard. It’s 2017, you’re a modern woman. It’s all about just being yourself and working as hard as you can,’” he added.
Wurtzbach also promised that she would have the best final walk during the Miss Universe 2016 coronation at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Jan. 30 at 8 a.m.
“I’ve had my first walk as Miss Universe, I think you all saw that, right? But at least I will have the best final walk in my home country,” said the German-Filipino beauty queen.
Wurtzbach also thanked those who supported her in her journey to the Miss Universe contest.
American beauties
This developed as Miss Universe 2015 second runner-up Olivia Jordan and Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez arrived in Manila yesterday morning in time for the Miss Universe 2016 contest.
Jordan and Sanchez are in town to shoot behind the scenes coverage of the beauty pageant through the social media assets of Smart, the official wireless service provider of the 65th Miss Universe pageant.
“Hello Manila! Just arrived and ready to explore with Olivia! I can’t believe we are here to watch Miss Universe,” said Sanchez on Instagram.
“Twice the #MissUSA love coming your way #Philippines,” said Jordan.
Jordan and Sanchez are also here to cheer for Miss USA Deshauna Barber and Wurtzbach.
“It has been a joy to watch Pia during her reign. She has inspired me so much. I have been lucky to know her because she is so inspirational and kind and she has been an incredible Miss Universe. The next one will have big shoes to fill! It’s nice to come back year later and just cheer for Pia,” said Jordan.
“I would love to work in the Philippines. As you probably know, I’m an actress and a model and there’s great acting and modeling in the Philippines. I would love to extend this trip into a longer one or come back again and be able to see more of the islands. PLDT and Smart have been generous to bring us here. We’re just so excited to post updates about the pageant on our Facebook Live and our other social media accounts and I hope you follow us,” added Jordan.
On Miss Universe host Steve Harvey, Jordan said: “Steve Harvey, if you need help reading that card, I can be his assistant on stage because I remember helping and telling Pia that she won last year so it would be lucky for me to tell someone [that she won Miss Universe] again.”