MANILA, Philippines – It’s the moment she’s been waiting for since 2013.
Pia Wurtzbach is currently in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Miss Universe 2015 pageant, which will be held on December 20 (December 21, Philippine time). But her Miss Universe journey started in 2013, when she joined the local Binibining Pilipinas contest in the hopes of representing the country in an international pageant.
READ: Pia Wurtzbach gears up for Miss Universe 2015 in Las Vegas
It took her three years before achieving her goal: she was first runner-up in 2013 and a top 15 finisher in 2014 before clinching the top crown this year. Pia admitted she almost gave up her beauty queen roles but decided to give it a third try so she won’t have any regrets. “I have a very good feeling about this year, actually. So we’ll see what happens,” she said in an earlier interview prior to the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 pageant last March.
In this January 2015 file photo, Pia Wurtzbach attends the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 annual museum visit as one of the pageant's 34 official candidates. Philstar.com/Chuck Smith
“I’ve been doing my homework. I’m pretty confident that I’m getting there as I’m getting closer and closer to the competition. I can feel it already,” she told Philstar.com and other members of the press days before she left for Las Vegas earlier this month.
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Now, with only a few days before the show, Pia—and Pinoys fans and pageant enthusiasts who have been following her story—will find out if her hard work has paid off.
"All the three years that I've tried, people are laughing at me and saying na trying hard daw ako. So my answer is yeah, trying hard talaga ako. I tried very hard, I tried very hard because this is what I want," Pia said.
Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
How do you handle bashers on social media?
I like their photos. (Laughs) And then nagiging magkaibigan na kami. It works! But then, I get where they are coming from. Sometimes, it’s constructive criticism naman. So, if that’s the case then I know how to take it in. I know that they can be very critical of me. But I understand. It’s because we want to win, right? I just observe the comments and when I know it’s constructive, I study it. If it’s not constructive at all, then it’s not. I just move on to the next comment.
Pia Wurtzbach during the evening gown competition of the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 pageant. Philstar.com/Jonathan Asuncion, file photo
Are you used to the comments and criticism you have been receiving since being crowned Miss Universe Philippines?
You can say that. Because I’ve had some booboos. Ako yung nagkakamali. Minsan, sumusobra na rin naman sila. But I’ve learned and I’m handling things better now.
Did you try to get to know your competition before flying to the US for the pageant?
I know who they are, I’m aware of who’s Miss ganito, who’s Miss ganyan. It’s normal. And I’m sure they do it also. You know, honestly, hindi binabantayan e—I wouldn’t say that’s the right word—but I know some of the girls already because I’m in contact with them regularly. Like, I could send a message now. I know their numbers because we have a group chat. And actually, that chat is so fun! You wouldn’t feel you’re in a competition. It’s unlike any other group chat because you have one person who is from the other side of the world. So ang good morning namin sa Asia, good night sa kabilang night.
They say the question and answer portion is the hardest part of the competition. How ready are you when it comes to that aspect?
I love being asked questions! So I guess, the harder part of the preparation for me was to get myself fit in the gym and to fix my diet. That was harder. For the Q & A, I keep myself informed with what’s happening everywhere. This is not rocket science, first of all. This is a beauty pageant, so relax lang. I’m doing my homework.
In this March 16, 2015 file photo, Pia Wurtzbach turns emotional after winning the Miss Universe Philippines title at the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 pageant. Philstar.com/Jonathan Asuncion
Ang number one na dapat mong alam ay yung sarili mo. Kasi mamaya, hindi naman ang tinanong sa iyo is current events. Mamaya, ang itanong sa’yo, ‘What makes you happy?’ ‘Yun ang mga mahirap sagutin kasi, oo nga naman, what makes me happy nga naman. Now you have to go to the core. You’ve been studying people around you but you forgot about yourself. It’s important you don’t get detached, you don’t become a robot.
Would you prefer you get asked about current events or about something personal?
Personal. Kasi yun, di ako mauubusan. (Laughs)
You’ve been preparing since the start of the year. Do you feel like there are parts of your life you sacrificed for the pageant?
Oo naman! Dami! (Laughs) Food, number one. Time! Wala na akong time sa family, sa friends—although they understand that. Lalo na sa boys, no time. Wala. There’s time for that—after the Miss Universe.
You started out in showbiz. Is it part of your plans to return to showbiz after the pageant?
Oh yeah, definitely. Especially when I went to the Star Magic Ball—I missed it so much. I seated beside friends na may hawak na script, ‘Hihiramin ko muna, pabasa.’ I’d act it out. I miss it so much! I’m not gonna lie, I miss the work. I was doing that for a long time before I joined Bb. Pilipinas. Although I like this a lot and this is my dream, you know, but I missed it. I am definitely not closing my doors for showbiz. Actually, I’m knocking on that door and I want it to open.
Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, poses for a photo inside Planet Hollywood on Wednesday December 9th. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Matt Petit