Heroine’s welcome home for Philippines’ Miss Universe

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach waves to the crowds during her visit at the city hall of Manila January 25, 2016. Wurtzbach, the first Miss Universe from the Philippines in more than four decades, said on Sunday she will spend her reign bringing awareness to issues like HIV and draw support for countries vulnerable to disasters. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

MANILA: Tens of thousands of people in the beauty pageant-crazed Philippines are set to give newly crowned Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach a heroine’s welcome home during a colourful parade through Manila on Monday.

The parade is one of the highlights of a week-long celebration for Wurtzbach who has been praised for her poise during last month’s pageant, despite a blunder by event host Steve Harvey who mistakenly announced Miss Colombia as Miss Universe before correcting himself minutes later and giving Wurtzbach the crown.