PeopleAsia’s Pia
MANILA, Philippines - PeopleAsia became the first Philippine glossy to release an edition with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach on the cover. For PeopleAsia’s highly anticipated February-March cover, Pia was photographed at the Royal Suite of the Waldorf Astoria Towers in New York, former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Pia’s cover shoot was her first magazine shoot as Miss Universe.
How did we do it?
Immediately after the competition, PeopleAsia wrote to the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) for an interview and pictorial. PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez (also Allure’s editor) was also in the Big Apple at the time and helped put the shoot together. Photographer Filbert Kung was with Pia at a party at Kinky Boots in Times Square on her second day in New York. She told Filbert no other Philippine-based publication has reached out to tell her story. The MUO then replied through its talent director Esther Swan.
By Dec. 27, PeopleAsia had a schedule for Jan. 7 at the Miss Universe headquarters, but was given only given 30 minutes. The MUO asked if the magazine wanted to reschedule to Jan. 11 so the team could have the whole morning.
During the interview, held at Suite 42R, where the Duke and Duchess of Windsor lived from 1941 to 1961, Pia was punctual and in high spirits. She revealed to PeopleAsia what was going on in her mind during the mix-up on Coronation Night.
“It was surreal,” she told the magazine. “I haven’t gotten over it.”
She also believes it wasn’t pure luck. “You work for it. You can’t do any crash diets, no miracle.”
The magazine wanted to capture Pia’s success through a series of photographs that depict her newfound status as Beauty Queen royalty. As such, she was photographed at the Royal Suite. The images highlighted Pia’s beauty and poise, as she donned the creations of various designers, including Filipina fashion icon Josie Natori and jewelry designer Carissa Cruz-Evangelista, among others.
Pia’s cover for PeopleAsia magazine is out on the stands now. The shoot was made possible with the help of USA and Orientours president Joebert Opulencia.
Back in Manila, managing editor Jose Paolo dela Cruz, creative director Chino Corrales and yours truly didn’t sleep until all the details were ironed out. With the magazine’s early release, Filipinos can now share the crown Pia brought home, even long after she’s left our shores to fulfill her duties as Miss Universe.
(For inquiries, call Bong or Flor at 892-1854 or 0932-8443281.)
New York photos by Filbert Kung • Behind-the-scenes photos by Bryan Geonzon
