MANILA, Philippines - And it is on.
The Philippines's bet Wurtzbach is now currently in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States for the 64th Miss Universe pageant, to be held on December 20, Sunday (December 21, Monday morning, Philippine time) at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.
Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 3, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Richard D. Salyer
Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015 and Monika Radulovic, Miss Universe Australia 2015, pose during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 1, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Richard D. Salyer
The Filipina beauty queen hopes to become the country's second Miss Universe titleholder, following the wins of Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margarita Moran in 1973.
Pia has been in Las Vegas since December 2 for the pageant's preliminary events and activities, such as a welcome dinner on December 7, a Downtown Las Vegas tour on December 8, and their pajama party video shoot on December 9.
Brenda Castro, Miss Universe Costa Rica 2015, Yun Fang Xue, Miss Universe China 2015, and Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, pose in Yamamay swimwear during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 2, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Richard D. Salyer
"Can't believe it's been over a week already since I arrived! Everything's been happening so fast and everyday is packed with activities," the 26-year-old beauty queen said in an Instagram post on Thursday. "Busy is always good! Good thing I'm a workaholic."
And it gets even busier. In the coming days, Pia will participate in a number of much-anticipated events such as the talent show on December 13, preview and contestant interviews on December 14 and the national costume show on December 16.
Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015, poses in Yamamay swimwear during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 2, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Richard D. Salyer
Brenda Castro, Miss Universe Costa Rica 2015; Yun Fang Xue, Miss Universe China 2015; and Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2015; pose in Yamamay swimwear upon arriving to Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. © Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Darren Decker
Pia is among pageant enthusiasts' favorites to enter the Miss Universe 2015 top 10, but she will face heavy competition. Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez, Miss USA Olivia Jordan, Miss India Urvashi Rautela and Miss Mexico Wendy Esparza.
There's definitely pressure for Pia to do well in the 64th Miss Universe, after Mary Jean Lastimosa failed to earn the Philippines a slot on the top 10 in the 63rd edition of the pageant earlier this year. This is apart from fellow Binibining Pilipinas Ann Colis winning the Miss Globe 2015 crown, Angelia Ong won the Miss Earth 2015 title.