Pia to get MMDA ‘water salute’

MANILA, Philippines - Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach will get a “water salute” after a traditional parade for her today along Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

In an interview on radio station dzBB yesterday, Emerson Carlos, Metro Manila Development Authority chairman, said MMDA constables would position themselves along Guadalupe Bridge and spray giant arches of water over Wurtzbach’s limousine as it passes through the area.

“Pia will be accorded a water salute just like what firemen usually perform (during special events),” Carlos said.

However, the water ceremony usually marks the retirement of a senior pilot, air traffic controller, the first or last flight of an airline at an airport.

The parade will start at Hotel Sofitel. Wurtzbach’s vehicle will turn left on Atang Dela Rama street, right  to Vicente Sotto street, left to F. Ma. Guerrero street, right again to Bukaneg street, then left to Roxas Boulevard.

It will turn right to Padre Burgos Street toward Taft Avenue, right to Finance Road, right to Taft Avenue, right to Quirino Avenue, left to Roxas again, then left to Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, left to Ayala Avenue and make a U-turn to Ayala Extension at the Makati Fire Station going to Ayala Avenue, and at Rustan’s.

The city government of Makati has been preparing a hero’s welcome for Wurtzbach for two days, with residents and employees at the Makati City Hall awaiting the beauty queen, who will pay a courtesy call on Makati Mayor Romulo Peña.

Peña said people are eager to see Wurtzbach in the flesh after she won in the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas last December.