Filipinos are beaming with joy as the year 2015 concluded with few major victories for Philippines at international pageants. Bb Pilipinas chairperson, Stella Araneta expressed her joy and said that Pia’s training paid off, as she walks away with the Miss Universe crown. Stella also congratulated the Filipinos for the win. "Congratulations to all the Filipino people, not only here in the Philippines but around the world. It has taken so many years but we are lucky that we had a candidate this year that was ready to win,” she said.
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Stella talked about Pia’s determination and said that she never gave up on her dream to win the title. "She was learning constantly what to do and perfect her way of presenting herself. I noticed [that] she would be observing the other winners….Up to the last minute she was taking classes and she did it fantastic,” she said.
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Stella is a former Miss International, who won the title in the year 1960 and then married businessman Jorge Araneta. She has chaired Bb Pilipinas since 1964, after she was assigned by her father-in-law, Jay Amado Araneta, to run the organization. Stella said that her loyalty to the country is not an issue to her anymore. She shared that she and the organization are preparing a big parade for Pia's return to the country. "I’ve been running Binibining for so many years, so don't you think my heart should be here in that respect? I’ve poured my heart and soul in this. They will ask me what would you choose and I’ll say, 'I’m Colombian but I would choose Philippines.' No, that’s the way it is. I am in Binibini and I run it and she’s a product of my contest. Why would I go for Colombia?” she said.
Stella congratulated Pia with the message, “Enjoy it. It’s hard to follow orders for a whole year.”
Pia is currently in New York, where she will reside for a year during her reign.