Pia Wurtzbach proud of Manny Pacquiao despite difference in opinion on ‘some things’

Maureen Marie Belmonte

<div><img src='' alt='041416-PiaW_PUSH.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>Almost a year since her prophetic tweet about winning Miss Universe, reigning queen Pia Wurtzbach finally came face-to-face with boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, days after the latter’s win against Timothy Bradley Jr in Las Vegas, Nevada. </div><div><br/></div><div>READ: LOOK: <a href='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/51153/look-miss-universe-2015-pia-wurtzbachs-prophetic-tweet/'>Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s prophetic tweet </a></div><div><br/></div><div>The two bumped into each other at Novotel, where Pia had her homecoming press conference, after Manny’s victory parade on Thursday mid afternoon. Pia is in the country to pass on her crown during this Sunday’s Binibining Pilipinas Coronation Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.</div><div><br/></div><div>According to Pia, Manny gave her a pair of boxing gloves in what she describes as “Miss Universe pink.”</div><div><br/></div><div>Pia was not able to mask her amazement about their encounter.</div><div><br/></div><div>“I cannot believe, <i>hindi ako nagbibiro, nang nag-tweet ako na ‘Kalma lang guys, babawi tayo sa Miss Universe.</i>’ <i>Nasa Cagayan de Oro ako</i>,” she began about the unfortunate loss of the Sarangani representative to Floyd Mayweather Jr. May of last year.</div><div><br/></div><div>“I was at the edge of my seat, I was so sad. I was angry, disappointed, I was angry. It’s Filipino pride, I want our Manny Pacquiao, our Pacman to win so bad. I’m a big fan of him. So when he didn’t win I took my phone out, emotionally tweeting and said, ‘<i>Kalma lang, guys, babawi naman tayo sa Miss Universe, e.’ Bigla ko naisip ‘yon,</i>” she recalled.</div><div><br/></div><div>While she recognized being deemed presumptuous during that time, Pia can now just laugh about all that happened.</div><div><br/></div><div>Although people mobbed them during the encounter, Pia said that she and Manny still managed to exchange a few words.</div><div><br/></div><div>“During my conversation with him earlier, <i>binanggit ko ulit sa kanya ‘yon. Sabi ko sa kanya</i>, ‘Congratulations in your victory. We’re very proud of you. <i>Hindi ko alam kung alam mo ‘to, pero nasabi ko no’n na babawi ako sa Miss Universe kasi sobrang sad talaga ko,</i>’” she said. “I’m a big fan of Manny Pacquiao as a boxer, so I said that to him. <i>Sabi ko, ‘hindi ko alam kung alam mo, pero nag-tweet ako no’n,’ then sabi niya, ‘oo alam ko ‘yon.’</i>”</div><div><br/></div><div>According to Pia, Manny shared that he and his wife Jinkee Pacquiao were also affected during the Miss Universe mix up wherein she was initially announced as the first runner-up. </div><div><br/></div><div>READ: <a href='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/51152/pia-alonzo-wurtzbach-is-miss-universe-2015/'>Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is Miss Universe 2015</a></div><div><br/></div><div> </div><div>“So for me, I was very happy to be present earlier, I admire him as boxer, I think this is his indeed last fight. A great way to end it,” she said.</div><div><br/></div><div>Pia then reiterated, “I’m still proud of him as a boxer. Even if we have different opinions on some things, but we’re both Filipinos and as a fellow Filipino, I was proud of his victory for the Philippines.”</div><div><br/></div><div>Pia, a known supporter of the LGBT community, may be alluding to Manny’s same sex marriage slur which earned the ire of a number of known personalities. </div><div><br/></div><div>READ: <a href='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/58147/vice-ganda-aiza-seguerra-and-other-celebs-react-on-manny-pacquiaos-same-sex-marriage-comment/'>Vice Ganda, Aiza Seguerra and other celebs react on Manny Pacquiao’s same sex marriage comment </a></div><div><br/></div><div>Manny eventually apologized for his comment but stayed firm on his stand on the issue.<br/><br/><i>Photo Credit: bbpilipinasofficial IG</i></div>

Pia stresses that she is still a big fan of Manny ‘as a boxer’

Pia Wurtzbach proud of Manny Pacquiao despite difference in opinion on ‘some things’ | PUSH.COM.PH