Pia breaks the Philippines's 42-year Miss U drought

Last March after Pia Wurtzbach and four others won Binibinis, The STAR asked them in an exclusive interview if they had a boyfriend, Pia answered, “No boyfriend, although may nanligaw sa akin ng matagal, almost two years. (Touching her crown) Ito, nakuha ko na! I’m a very complicated person, no wonder I’m still single. (Adding in jest) I will remain single for two more years because mananalo pa akong Miss Universe and that’s another one-year reign, so medyo matagal pa.”

Prophetic words, those. Yesterday in Las Vegas, Pia broke the Philippines’ 42-year Miss Universe drought and bagged the country’s third title, after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973. (As far as having a boyfriend was concerned, Pia and some contestants were asked the same question and Pia replied, “My mother doesn’t know so…no!” Then she smiled.)

During the post-pageant media interview, Pia was asked how she would describe this year’s Miss U ceremony (the host, Steve Harvey, announced Miss Colombia as winner and Pia as first runner-up and promptly corrected himself only while Miss Colombia was making her “victory” walk with the coveted crown on her head.)

Think positive. That’s what Pia did, just like Angelia Ong who said she kept that in mind when she competed and won in the recent 2015 Miss Earth pageant in Austria. “I remembered what Jamie (Herrell, last year’s Miss Earth) told me, ‘Isipin mong nasa ulo mo ang crown at wala sa iba.’” Angelia is the first to score a back-to-back win in that pageant. Two major beauty titles (Misses Earth and Universe) for the Philippines and that’s a good reason to make this Christmas merrier for us beauty-pageant-crazy Filipinos.

Asked if Pia tried to console Miss Colombia, Jonas Gaffud (bona fide member of Aces&Queens, the group that grooms beauty queens, Pia included), who was in Las Vegas (with Madame Stella Marquez-de Araneta, head of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.), said, “Yes, Pia tried to pero hindi nakalapit kasi tinawag na siya for interview.”

How do former Misses U Gloria and Margie feel about Pia’s bringing home the country’s third Miss U crown?

“Welcome to the privileged and lucky circle,” said Gloria. “We now have something in common.”

“I am so happy for her as this is a dream for her,” said Margie. “She had a definite advocacy, too, that made all the difference. But I am sad for both Pia and Miss Colombia. It robbed Pia of her moment and the rejoice we could have had.”

Two runners-up were also interviewed.

“Of the Final 3, her answer was the best!” said Miriam Quiambao, first runner-up in 1999. “She was confident, nailed it and deserved it! What I love is the humility and graciousness that she displayed when her name was announced. I can sense that she even felt concerned for Miss Colombia. I even saw a video of her among those consoling the first runner-up. I love that about her! Confidently beautiful with a heart talaga!!!”  

“I’m speechless,” said Ariella Arida, third runner-up in 2013. “I know how much she wanted this and how much we all wanted this. Finally, siya pala ang hinihintay! Gusto ko siyang yakapin ng mahigpit and tell her, ‘I love you, mars; we are all proud of you, thanks for making our dreams come true!’ (Hanggang ngayon po naiiyak pa rin ako, hehehe!)”

Other Filipinas who have finished runners-up: Lalaine Bennett (1963), third runner-up; Rosemarie “Chiqui” Brosas (1975), fourth runner-up; Chat Silayan (1980), third runner-up; Desiree Verdadero (1984), third runner-up; Venus Raj (2010), fourth runner-up; Shamcey Supsup (2011), third runner-up; and Janine Tugonon (2012), first runner-up. 

Incidentally, Pia and Angelia are the best role models for girls who never say never, who don’t let initial defeat stop them from trying again (and again). In the 2013 Bb. Pilipinas pageant, Pia finished first runner-up to Ariella and in 2014 (won by MJ Lastimosa), among the Top 15; and Janine, first-runner-up to Shamcey Supsup before she won.

In the case of Angelia, she was a semi-finalist during Shamcey’s time and second runner-up in last year’s Miss Manila pageant. Again, to quote PCSO winning-est agent Manuel Uy, A winner never quits, a quitter never wins.

In that post-Binibini interview, The STAR also asked Pia how she dealt with bashers.

“During the Q&A, I was asked that question and I said, ‘Think before you click.’ Right? If I can’t take the bashing, I can always shut off my computer or my phone. What I was trying to say during the Q&A is to practice self-censorship. There are things that you can control. I can choose what to read and what to see. If the criticism is constructive, fine. Otherwise, forget it. Bashing is now part of the culture. So whatever you guys want to throw at us, right on! We are ready for the challenge.”