Aquino congratulates, catches up with Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach

President Benigno Aquino III and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach were reunited on Tuesday morning at Malacañang.

Wurtzbach paid a courtesy call on Aquino, who was rumored to have dated her in the past.

The newly crowned Miss Universe was received by Aquino at the President’s Hall after being greeted by government employees inside the Malacañang compound.

READ: Pia Wurtzbach wants to enter politics

After allowing media to take photos and videos of the courtesy call, journalists were ushered out of the building.

Wurtzbach, however, granted a short press briefing afterwards.

“It’s an honor to be in the presence of the President, of course. Especially now that I’m here as Miss Universe, bringing back the crown for the Filipino,” she said.

The beauty queen said they talked a little about the Miss Universe pageant. “Also with what he’s been busy with lately and how he’s been doing. How I’ve been doing,” she added.

“He congratulated me. And I congratulated him for a successful term,” Wurtzbach told Palace reporters.

President Benigno Aquino III engages Pia Wurtzbach in small talk during the courtesy call. KRISTINE ANGELI SABILLO/INQUIRER.net

Wurtzbach is in the Philippines for the week for a series of events, including her homecoming parade yesterday and a homecoming special in Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

READ: IN PHOTOS: Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach grand parade

Now based in New York, Wurtzbach became a household name when Miss Universe host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced her as first runner-up. Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez, who was erroneously declared winner, had to give up the crown in a dramatic ending to the Miss Universe coronation night. CDG

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This article was originally published on January 26, 2016, 10:13 a.m.