MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach recently opened up about being her family’s breadwinner since her younger years, which paved way for her to reach her dreams.
On her Instagram account, Pia shared her struggles along the way as she took on different jobs.
“I’ve been my family’s breadwinner since I was 11. I’ve worked countless jobs from waiting tables to packing boxes in a paper factory — a testament that I hustled on and never gave up ‘til I reached my dreams,” Pia wrote.
For her, being crowned as the most beautiful girl in the universe is a huge accomplishment, but there are more things to learn and discover to help others.
“Being Miss Universe 2015 is a big and beautiful achievement, but being my ultimate is a continuous journey of self discovery, self love, and self care so I can be a vessel to inspire others,” she said.
Apart from show business, Pia is busy promoting advocacies.
“I am able to help promote a healthy & balanced lifestyle, AIDS awareness, women empowerment — and these are far more important to me than any crown I could ever receive. When one embraces what’s beautiful: you’re able to be you to the full,” she said.
A netizen questioned Pia’s post, saying in the comments section: “You do know you’re basically telling everyone that your parents had let you work when you were 11, let you feed and support them instead of them working and supporting you? What were they doing when you were 11? Just sits around waiting for you to come home from work? #childabuseawareness.”
As response, Pia clarified that she was not a victim of child abuse.
“What I mean was I stepped in to be breadwinner of my family because I eventually had the most income through my modeling and acting career as a kid. But at the same time I was still in school, I never stopped schooling. And my mom would be around me all the time to watch over me,” she narrated.
She stressed that she became a waitress and a factory worker when she was over 17 or as she said, “legal enough to work.”
“It was my decision to help my family. They never forced me. But of course mahirap yun. In the Philippines it’s not uncommon for children to decide to help their families out. As long as it’s within the law and you’re not hurting anyone,” Pia said.
She reiterated that her family did not violate any law.
“Wala po kaming nilabag na batas. Mahirap lang po talagang lumaki sa and I’m not ashamed of where I came from. I’m sharing my story na kung kinaya ko, kaya nyo rin!” she espoused.