You will make us proud, dear Pia!
First of all, I’m sorry it took me over a week to write this post. I’m on my 2nd week as Miss Universe Philippines and it has been a whirlwind of interviews & appearances with the rest of the reigning queens. For those who know me well, you know that I love being busy. I am at my happiest when I’m busy. Anyway, here it goes.
First of all, thank you Lord! My prayers have finally been answered. I’ve lost count on how many times I visited Baclaran & prayed for this. Lahat ginawa ko na. I would visit different churches for the first time just so I could make a wish not only in the Philippines but even abroad. I even visited some temples to get some luck. Had an astrologer print out my birth chart & read my yearly forecast for me. And don’t get me started on wishing wells, shooting stars and catching the time hit 11:11 on my watch. I took every chance to pray or make a wish. Baliw na kung baliw.
Thank you to my family away from family. Aces & Queens brought me up to the Pia you see today. Pinatay na nila si Pia Romero. Haha. I still remember when I was walking aimlessly in Greenbelt (where I had just broken up with my ex) with Harley when Mama J spotted me and asked Harley about me. “Mag heels ka nga at lakad ka mula doon papunta dito.” So thats what I did, with matching wave pa as if I won already. After that he asked me if I wanted to join Bb Pilipinas, to which I said yes right away without batting an eyelash. “Yay! May gagawin na ko sa buhay ko!” were my exact words that night.
I’d like to thank my Aces & Queens family for believing in me from the very start. Jonas Antonio Gaffud for discovering me, giving me the overhaul that I needed & rebooting my career. You have an eye for beauty like no one else. Thank you for studying the look, demeanor & overall aura that works best for me. Tito Nad Broncefor not only being the best adviser in Q&A, but also being one of the most cherished friendships I’ve ever had. With you I learned that it’s okay to speak my mind & more importantly, na may ibubuga pala ako kahit hindi ako formally educated. I learned so much from you & I’m still learning. Mama Arnold Mercado for taking care of not just me but all the girls. You have that motherly instinct & care that is very Mama Ru. Unconditional love for all Aces girls. Not to mention comic relief in times of stress during the pageant. Benta lahat ng jokes mo sakin. Mark Bessie Besana for being so hands on. You offer help with everything we need for the pageant but most importantly, you offer your ears to listen to my thoughts & my drama. You guys know how crazy I am. Bessie can withstand all of it. And of course your advice to help me calm down. Gerry Diaz for equipping us with the most inspiring qoutes. I still have them written down in all my Q&A notebooks from 2013, 2014 & 2015. Papa John Jay Graciano Cuay for watching over me this year when I needed to quickly become Binibini ready. Last minute kasi ang final decision to join again. May mga times na maiyak iyak na talaga ako sa gym out of frustration but you gave me the tough love I needed to get through. I did not have the best body this year but we made the most of what we had. I promise to be in top form for the Universe. Kuya Carlos Buendia Jr & Kuya Pao Oap for making sure we have everything we need & that we’re equipped with confidence & no inhibitions that could hinder us from giving a hundred percent on stage. And to the rest of the A&Q family who may or may not have facebook accounts, I hope you know that I’m very grateful. You are all instrumental to my victory.
Binabati ko narin ang Mommy Cheryl Alonzo ko who initially wasn’t so supportive when I said I wanted to join again. But that’s only because when she watched the pageant live last year, she was so heartbroken that I didn’t make it. Okay lang ma, bawing bawi na this year. Haha. When I was on stage after the crowning moment with the rest of the queens, lahat ng naririnig ko “Congratulations!”. Pero mayroong isang “PIA! PIA! Ayusing mo buhok mo!” It was my mom. Very stage mother ang peg. I love it. When I went back to England last year, there were days I would sulk in the sofa in my pajamas with no make up on and wonder if I’d join again & what would happen to me if I did. I voiced out all my hurt, worries & frustration toSarah Wurtzbach & Charlie Manze. And I remember Charlie standing over me & giving me the most empowering speech ever. Seriously, I still think about it up to now. I won’t go into detail about what he said but this guy basically made me realize that I have nothing to lose & the world is at my feet. Sarah for being my best friend & confidant even when we’re miles & timezones apart. This girl is so strong I feel like I’m the younger sibling. Harley Tan and his family for taking care of me and treating me like I am one of their own. This guy literally saved my life, helped me realize what I truly wanted to pursue & supported me every step of the way. He’s seen me at my lowest & was there to celebrate our victory. I felt like when I won, we both won. Hindi nasayang yung mga gabi na wala kaming ginawa kundi manuod ng Miss Universe sa laptop at mag analyze ng mga pageant. Katabi ko sya matulog at nuod lang kami ng nuod hanggang sa makatulog kami sa pagod. Mahal kita Har, alam mo yan. And to Luis Carlo San Juan who made me realize that beauty queens can be fashionable too. I met JJ at work during my 1st RU days and we got along right away. Cheers to more traveling, more lovelife advice & more “Pia, yung article nasan na?” Hahaha. We can finally use the YSLs we’ve been “saving for Miss Universe”. Tito Albert Andrada for trusting me to wear your beautiful creations. Thank you po for dressing me up & helping me with my costumes & gowns for Binibini. Tito Albert actually had an evening gown made for me for the fashion show before they announced that the evening gown portion will be removed. Hopefully, I’ll be able to wear it one day.
Its true what they say, that nothing can prepare you for the pressure, attention & intrigue that comes with winning the crown. I was told that the next coming weeks after the coronation will be “madugo”. Totoo po. Not only is it physically draining but I also feel the pressure & I know that people have been talking about me lately. Alam kong laman ako ng balita, tabloid, showbiz chismis at online forums. Yung iba fabricated, yung iba exaggerated, yung iba naman totoo. But I’ll have you know that I genuinely think that I wouldn’t be given this responsibility if I couldn’t handle it. I’m very much okay! I’m actually handling things better than I expected. I’m aware of my flaws and I know what I need to work on. Maniwala po kayo, ang puso at isip ko ay nasa Miss Universe. Hindi para sa sarili ko pero para sa lahat ng taong naniniwala sakin. Hindi po kayong nagkamaling piliin ako as Miss Universe Philippines dahil kaya ko po ito.
Thank you to all my friends, family, mentors & supporters for all the love! This is only the beginning of a bigger dream to fulfill. I am hopeful that we will finally bag that 3rd Miss Universe crown for the Philippines.
Here’s a photo of me wearing my crown. Cos you know, baliw ako e. Haha.
Miss Universe Philippines 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
