Why Pia Wurtzbach believes Rachel Peters deserves to be Miss Universe 2017

MANILA, Philippines — At first, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach seemed hesitant to answer why Miss Philippines Rachel Peters should win Miss Universe 2017.

Perhaps, Pia, who will be judging at the pageant’s coronation night on November 26, does not want to be accused as biased to any candidate.

She, however, is confident that Rachel would take home Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown, not only because Rachel is her “kababayan.”

“Like a lot of people have said, she is the perfect package. I don’t think people have anything to worry about,” Pia told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview following her launch as endorser of global bottled water brand Aquafina, which is now available in the Philippines.

Sold in supermarkets nationwide, the bottled water brand claims to be using the best purifying technology that includes ozonation, reverse osmosis and carbon filtration to remove salts, chlorides and other harmful substances.

During the Miss Universe 2017 welcome party in Las Vegas, Rachel wore a dress in Pia’s signature royal blue. When asked if Pia thinks Rachel and other Miss Universe candidates have been copying her style, Pia said: “I think she has her own identity. I mean, that’s her advocacy. Her advocacy is celebrating self-identity. I don’t really see it as other girls making up a formula on how to win.”

Though Pia thinks Rachel has what it takes to bring home the bacon, winning still depends on how a candidate projects herself onstage and "if it’s meant for you.”

In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN, Pia said that the coronation venue, Planet Hollywood, has been lucky for her, so she hopes that the lucky streak would extend to Rachel this year.

Pia’s fellow Aquafina ambassador, Maureen Wroblewitz, became Philippines’ first “Asia’s Next Top Model” winner when Pia came in as guest judge. Maybe Pia’s participation as a Miss Universe judge could also be lucky for Rachel.

If Pia has a contribution to Rachel’s Miss Universe training, it would be her advice to keep her eyes on the prize but not forget to enjoy being in Vegas.

“Like with all the girls, I told them to have fun and stay focused. Don’t get distracted especially at this time of the competition where you’re there already, you’re wearing the sash already. People are trying to tell you what to do, but don’t get distracted and just focus on yourself,” Pia reminded Rachel and other Philippine pageant bets.

“And most importantly, to have fun because these few weeks are going to go by so fast and you don’t want to regret not making friends, having fun because whatever the results, that’s the kind of memories that you’re going to take with you!”