Pia Wurtzbach hopes to have ‘fresh start’ with bashers, doubters

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach is no stranger to bashers; she had her share of online naysayers even before she won the crown last month.

But the 26-year-old beauty queen, who is currently in the country for a number of homecoming activities to celebrate her Miss Universe victory, said she hopes to her bashers and doubters will have a change of heart.

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“I'll shake your hand, I'll introduce myself and hopeful we can have a fresh start,” Pia said during her homecoming press conference on Sunday, when asked what she would say to her bashers if ever she gets a chance to meet them face to face.

Miss Universe president Paula Shugart, Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. head Stella Marquez-Araneta during a news conference on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV

She added: “I may not understand why you felt that way with me in the beginning... People have their reasons why, but hopefully I'll be able to change their mind when I meet them in person.”

This is in line with her advocacy against cyber bullying, an issue close to her heart even before the Miss Universe pageant (in fact, she was asked about internet censorship during the question and answer portion of the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 pageant last March).  She also had her share of bashers after winning the Miss Universe crown, thanks in part to the pageant’s results mix-up.

Pia recently took to social media to ask fans to stop bashing Miss Australia Monika Radulovic after she said in a radio interview that the Miss Universe top three contestants (namely, Pia, Miss USA Olivia Jordan and Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez) “weren’t very nice.”

“I am actually still trying to learn how because it's quite new,” Pia said when asked on her concrete plans against cyber bullying as Miss Universe. “So I'm still looking for established organizations that work on that.”

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“But the mere fact that we're talking about it is already work on its own.”

She is also actively a “good example” to her fans and followers, reminding them not to bash anyone online.

Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach addresses the media during a news conference at suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV

“Wag na po tayo pumatol sa mga bashers online. Hindi naman kailangan sagutin lahat,” Pia said. “Hindi naman kailangan pumatol palagi. Yes, it's cyber bullying because they're bullying me. But it's also bullying that you're fighting back.”

Pia added, “There should be a limit to everything so I constantly remind everybody on social media na wag na po pumatol, wag na po tayo magreply, wag na po tayo magsalita ng masama tungkol sa ibang girls. Hindi po tama yan at nagiging pangit po ang imahe natin.”

Of course, she also hopes to become an inspiration, especially to Filipino and young girls.

“Mahirap pero dapat hindi kayo tumigil e,” she said when asked to give a message to Filipinos who are “in the journey towards their dreams.” “I know that sounds difficult to do. You can’t let go. You have to really believe that you can and you will. And it’s not gonna be easy at all.”

Relating her experience as a beauty pageant contestant, Pia shared that she kept repeating to herself that she wants to be Miss Universe.

Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach addresses the media during a news conference at suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV

“I didn’t want any other crown when I joined Binibining Pilipinas. Yun talaga ang nasa isip ko. Para akong baliw backstage (during Bb. Pilipinas). ‘Miss Universe, Miss Universe, Miss Universe.’ Yun lang talaga ang sinasabi ko sa sarili ko,” she said.

“If you have a goal, you have to understand that it’s not going to be easy. It might take a while… You can’t expect that whatever effort you throw in out there, may kapalit kaagad. Minsan wala,” Pia added.

READ: Pia Wurtzbach says next dream is to be a Bond girl

“You have to tell yourself that this is what you want and it is there. It’s gonna take a while… Don’t let anything distract.”

She’s not closing her doors on working on local showbiz after her reign. Pia was connected with ABS-CBN and its talent management company Star Magic before she joined the Miss Universe pageant. 

“It would be good to star in a teleserye, why not,” Pia said. But she is also open to working in the United States if the opportunity comes when her reign as Miss Universe ends. “If there are any offers, opportunities to work abroad in the US, then why not? I’ll definitely try that out.”

The Binibining Pilipinas 2015 beauty queens: Rogelie Catacutan (Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational), Janicel Lubina (Bb. Pilipinas-International), Pia Wurtzbach (Miss Universe), Christy McGarry (Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental), Ann Colis (Miss Globe) and Hannah Ruth Sison (Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner-up). Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV

The next big dream, however, is to become a Bond girl.

Her schedule as Miss Universe is hectic (and she will be returning to the United States soon after her trip in the Philippines), but she hopes to be able to crown the next Miss Universe Philippines for the 2016 Binibining Pilipinas pageant later this year.

She is also excited about the idea and possibility of doing the next Miss Universe pageant in the country, adding it could promote tourism in the Philippines.

“I want to pass my crown here in my home,” Pia said. “Para maramdaman talaga ng mga tao kung gaano ka-big deal sa atin yung Miss Universe.”
Pia will have a grand homecoming parade from Manila to Makati and an Araneta Center parade in Quezon City today. She is also set to visit Malacanang and the Senate for a courtesy call.

On Thursday, she will have a Miss Universe Homecoming Special at the Araneta Coliseum.

Newly crowned Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach addresses the media during a news conference at suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV