The pageant's host, comedian Steve Harvey, misread his cue card which he initially said had Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, as the winner.
She was briefly, very fleetingly, crowned in Las Vegas and started the customary smiling and waving.
But not for long.
As she blew kisses, Harvey awkwardly said "I have to apologize. The first runner-up is Colombia."
"Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines," he added, with the Colombian contestant left like a deer in headlights and the actual winner, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, looking stunned.
And all on live television with millions watching from Manila to Manchester.
"It was my fault," Harvey stammered as a perplexed audience held its breath.
"Please don't hold it against the ladies," added the talk show host.
The contest, held in Las Vegas this year, is wildly popular in Latin America and much of Asia.
Later in his Twitter account, @IAmSteveHarvey, the host apologized for his mistake: "I want to apologize emphatically to Miss Philippians (sic) and Miss Columbia. This was a terribly honest human mistake and I am so regretful."
Congrats from Malacanang
Malacanang immediately sent a congratulatory note, saying the entire country “unites in celebration” of Wurtzbach’s win.
“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,” said Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
“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,” he said.
Lacierda noted the Filipinos’ support of Wurtzbach.
“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,” he said.
Advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention
Congresswoman Kaka Bag-ao (Lone District, Dinagat Islands), one of the principal authors of the Revised Philippine HIV/AIDS Policy Act in the House of Representatives and awaiting Senate approval, said: "I'm very happy that we do not only have a Miss Universe; we have a brave advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention. By taking on the issue, she is greatly helping in reducing stigma and discrimination."
Labor group the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa also welcomed "the positive and exponential presence" of Miss Universe into the campaign against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). "Pia's leverage into the campaign against HIV and AIDS in the country is a morale booster to HIV/AIDS advocates and activists. She comes into the issue at a time when the campaign is at all-time low because of appalling high growth of incidence and everyone seemed not to care anymore. Ms. Wurtzbach's energy and vitality into the advocacy will radically change the equation," said TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay.
source: interaksyon.com
