Inquirer Lifestyle recently swept Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach off to Bohol for a glorious summer shoot (and a much-needed break).
“That Bohol trip was my first chance to rest after the pageant,” she said.
Back from Bohol, she sat down with us for this interview.
Is it true that you’re dating the President?
(laughs) I talk to him, yeah. He’s very … he’s very busy. I don’t know, what do you want to know?
READ: Ms. Universe Philippines Pia Wurtzbach says President Aquino ‘fun to talk to’
What do you like about him?
No. 1, his No. 1 priority really is his love for the country. I’ve noticed this because even when we’re talking casually, we’re still talking about the Philippines. (laughs)
That’s how you know he’s passionate about it, because even when he’s resting, he’s still talking about it. And that’s good, that’s very good.
And you don’t feel intimidated when he’s around. He’s very approachable. He’s always smiling. Or maybe that’s just me. Also, he’s ready to answer any question you throw at him.
Does he watch pageants?
No, I don’t think so.
Has he said anything about you competing?
Funny, after the pageant, we talked about my Q&A for a bit. And then he said he would have expounded on the answer a bit more.
Sabi ko, “You didn’t like my answer?” And he said, “It’s not that I didn’t like your answer, it’s just that…” Then sabi ko, “How would you have answered it?” Then he started answering and he starts saying this speech with words na napakalalim. It kinda sounded like a speech he would say at a UN conference.
And I said, “Nobody’s going to understand…” And he said, “Well, you’re asking me what my answer would be and I’m telling you my answer. As the President, this would be my answer. Kung tinanong mo ako as a beauty contestant, iba yung magiging sagot ko.”
Sabi ko, “Fair enough.” (laughs)
Kris Aquino interviewed you about her brother. Was that crazy?
READ: Pres. Aquino to Kris: Be nice to Pia Wurtzbach
Well, I was caught off-guard. Yung “The Buzz” ba ’to? What they did was they dimmed the lights and they started playing this parang heartbeat na background. Parang, “Oh no! This is the Q&A all over again!” (laughs) But she was very nice. It wasn’t actually that difficult… I don’t find it difficult to answer questions like that because I’m always truthful naman. I don’t really have anything to hide. And she was nice to me and that also helped a lot.
But do you guys have the time to actually go out?
No. He’s very busy. I’m also very busy… but I still get to talk to him. And I understand that he’s very busy. He has his priorities.
But given the chance to go out with him, what would you like to do?
We’ll eat.
Sana pwede ka na kumain by then.
He knows about the diet naman… Really, what I like about him is we can talk about anything under the sun. We always have good conversations.
***
The Lifestyle shoot was a welcome break for Pia.
“It was the only time I got to sleep for a full eight hours. We were there for five days, work for two days and the rest, relax na.”
The shoot was doubly fun for Pia because it was her first time in Bohol.
“I liked the shoot because we went around. We were hitting two birds with one stone, we were sightseeing and working at the same time. I felt very comfortable with the people around me. What I also liked about the shoot is that we used Filipino designers. It’s a nice way to showcase Filipino designers against nice Filipino backdrops.”
For Pia, the third time was the charm.
READ: Pia Wurtzbach crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2015
After three attempts, she finally won the coveted Binibining Pilipinas-Universe this year. Since that fateful night in March, Pia’s days have become a whirlwind of interviews, appearances and training for the Miss Universe pageant, where she will compete later this year.
Pia is now focused on training for the pageant.
We met with her on a sweltering summer day for this interview and were surprised to see that she wore an Adidas jacket over workout clothes.
“I’m going to the UP Oval to run after this,” she explained.
Pia is required to work out three times a week but she’s been doing it almost every day.
This is how determined she is to win: Long before she won the title, when she was still a Binibining Pilipinas candidate, she already bought shoes from Chinese Laundry, Miss Universe’s shoe sponsor, because she believes the heels you wear during training should be the heels you wear when you compete in the pageant.
Such determination shows in other aspects of her life, even back when she was studying at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.
“For our final dinner in culinary school, I was the head of my team and I decided to make 24 Spanish tapas because my birthday is September 24. We ended up winning the best final dinner. Hinakot ko yung awards.
“I was part of the book development team, research and development team. I won the market basket for Asian and Western cuisine. I was also the executive chef for the whole class at our legacy buffet.”
Pia says her competitive nature first manifested itself after her parents split up when she was nine.
“Before that, I didn’t really care. I remember pinapagalitan pa ako because halos pasang-awa lang ako. But when they got separated, I don’t know, I felt like I needed to prove myself in a way. My dad was very strict, lagi niya ako pinapagalitan sa grades ko. He wasn’t happy with line of eight. He wanted line of nine, but I never got line of nine. Nung naghiwalay sila and I was left with my mom, siguro dun nanggaling yung, ‘I’ll show you line of nine.’”
She’s competitive and persevering, a solid mix that might just win her the Miss Universe crown.
Taste of defeat
You won the crown on your third try. What do you think made the third time different?
I learned a lot from the past years. I know what looks good on me, what works well, what my flaws are and how to hide them well. Also, I’ve had a taste of defeat.
When you’ve had that, you come to a point where you want to try again, but you’re so relaxed because you know you have nothing to lose, you’re prepared for anything. You’re prepared to win, but you’re also prepared to not make it.
What would you have done if you didn’t win?
If I didn’t win, definitely no more pageants for me. I wouldn’t have regrets though because then I’d know it’s really not meant for me. I’d be devastated for sure.
I actually think if I didn’t get this crown, if I got another crown, I’d still be devastated. Not to say that I’d be ungrateful, but then you’re kinda hyped up so much for this particular crown and if you didn’t get that, it’s a little heartbreaking.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve sacrificed for the love of pageants?
Time. I don’t have much time for family anymore. Even friends. I can’t commit to hanging out with everybody because there’s no time. I try to touch base with everybody but kailangan liitan mo ng kaunti yung circle mo. You’re gonna meet a lot of people but you can trust only a few, and you can’t lose those people because they’re the ones who are going to keep you sane. That’s one sacrifice I had to make.
Another is the dieting and food. I love food, I’m not going to lie. But I have to put that on hold.
Miriam, Charlene, Melanie
Did you have favorite beauty queens when you were growing up?
Miriam Quiambao was one of my favorites. Charlene Gonzales, oh my gosh. When I first saw her in person, I was first runner-up in 2013. She interviewed us and I was the only one without a crown. Sabi nya sa akin, “You should join again because I think you deserve a crown.” She said that on air. I said thank you.
Backstage, I was looking for her because I wanted a picture with her. When I finally got the chance to, I was crying, I was in tears. I was like, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m talking to you.”
Also, one time, I was going to park my car at ABS-CBN and biglang lumabas si Melanie Marquez. I wanted to get down and introduce myself but may mga sasakyan sa likod ko so I couldn’t. When I see them I want to go to them and introduce myself.
I have that urge… parang, can I get your blessing please?
Do you feel extra pressure because the other girls have done really well in the Miss Universe pageant?
I’ve been feeling it especially lately. When I won, mga first two weeks, wala pa eh. I was still on a high. Now, I feel the pressure, definitely.
I’ve started looking at the girls I will compete against. I follow them on Instagram, they follow me back. I feel like the job is fun, it’s easy, enjoyable. I like being interviewed, offering my help to charities, training and keeping fit.
What’s making it hard is the people around it. You have so many people watching you, praising you but also judging you as early as now. Ngayon pa lang sinasabi na nila ano yung magiging placement ko sa Miss Universe. Guys, you have to give me some time to prepare…
Things could change. But people are so excited that it puts a lot of pressure. Also, because other girls, the ones before me, they placed really well. Hindi naman sa I’m competing to just be a good representative; at the very least, I have to make it to top five.
How are you preparing?
More on the workout. I don’t really think I have a problem with Q&A for now. I just need to keep updated on current events. We’ll also do some public speaking training eventually, but I’m not worried about that. This early, I’ve been working on my own. I’ve been working out because I really think that’s the aspect I need to focus on.
Have you always been comfortable with the Q&A, or is that something that developed over time?
When I started with the training, like everybody else, I was afraid. But my Q&A trainer, he would correct you if you were wrong but he would also give you the confidence that you could answer whatever was thrown at you.
You don’t have to be formally educated to answer these questions. It’s not rocket science, ‘di ba? They’re vague, and basically what it calls for is for you to go to your core.
The questions are “What is love?” “What is family?” “What makes you happy?” These are questions you should be able to answer in a casual setting. Parang slam book lang naman yan eh, di ba?
The challenge is how to make your answer witty, how to come off really charming and how to come up with original answers.
It becomes more difficult when they ask questions that are more specific, like politics, religion and your stand on certain issues. But I like that. It’s a challenge. As I started training, I realized, kaya ko naman pala sagutin.
I don’t have to be afraid of the questions unless they give me mathematical questions, then I will have a difficult time. (laughs)
Does the training become more rigorous as the pageant date nears?
Yes. I have physical training. We also have a personality development training with Dale Carnegie. When I find out where the Miss Universe pageant is, I’ll start learning the language of the host country. I think it’s a plus.
‘Kilig’
Is that something all the girls do?
No. I just want to. I feel like it would be nice if you get down the plane and greet everybody in their local language. It’s like us, dito rin, kilig na kilig tayo pag merong foreigner na kahit mali-mali yung Tagalog, nag-e-effort.
Last time, MJ’s dress became controversial. Do you have a say on what you will get to wear?
No. They decide. Definitely, the national costume will be by a Filipino designer. I’m happy that we’re finally open to Filipino designers for the national costume.
But was that controversy something you thought about? Or were you focused on your own training?
I was focused on my own training. It wasn’t a surprise to me. I always knew the gowns would be by a Colombian designer. One may not necessarily like the gown, but you just have to carry it well.
The thing is, the gown doesn’t make you win or make you lose. We’ve had Miss Universe winners who were not Filipino, who didn’t really have beautiful, drop-dead-gorgeous gowns. Hindi naman, eh.
What they look for in a winner is the girl, the face, the personality. Hindi naman yung damit. Because you’re not going to wear that throughout your reign. It’s a plus to have a nice gown during the competition, but it’s not a basis of whether you win or lose.
But I understand where people are coming from, that they want a Filipino designer. I agree with that.
Which part of the Miss Universe pageant are you most excited about?
Meeting the other girls. Imagine how rare it is to be in a room full of girls and basically, all the countries are there.
If you have a question on your mind about a certain country, you just approach the girl. You have the whole world in one room, basically. How cool is that?
Which part of the pageant are you most nervous about?
Tawagan ng winner, I guess. (laughs) That makes me nervous.
READ: Pia Wurtzbach recounts her ‘hagulgol’ backstage after the pageant
What are you passionate about?
Women empowerment is my advocacy really. When my parents separated, it was just my mom taking care of me and my sister. Tatlo kaming babae.
I became the breadwinner of my family. I was paying for everything through my acting and modeling while studying. I used to see how my parents would fight in front of me and I didn’t like it, I didn’t like how my dad treated my mom.
I’ve also been in a relationship where I was held back from what I really wanted to do, where I was being held back from my potential.
I’ve also been a victim of discrimination and racism because I was a Filipino in England. I had a hard time getting a job in the kitchen because I’m a girl.
I’ve experienced relationships na parang minamaliit yung babae. I don’t like that. That kind of pushed me to try what guys do. Why do I have to listen to you guys? I can do whatever I want.
And I hope that’s the kind of message I send to other girls, too. That you can do whatever you want. You don’t have to hold back.
I don’t understand the concept that women have to wait for a Prince Charming or a knight in shining armor to come along and save us and give us the happily ever after. Come on!
It’s nice to have a companion who would be supportive, I appreciate that. If a guy ever comes along and supports me and inspires me and motivates me, I welcome that, I am open to that, that would be great.
But I don’t want to be defined by who I’m dating, who I’m with. “That’s blank’s girlfriend.” I have a name and I have a job, okay? And I do stuff outside of the relationship. Dapat ganun naman, eh.
What’s the sweetest thing a fan has done for you?
During the press presentation, I felt like I wasn’t a hundred percent. I wasn’t prepared body-wise and my performance was a little tame. Hindi yun ‘yung nakasanayan kong walk. I toned it down a bit and medyo nasobrahan. I felt bad about it.
A lot of people didn’t like it also and I got bashed for it. Photos came out that were a little unflattering. Those photos would be edited to make them even more unflattering and they would call me names. Nababasa ko because once I log on, I see it right away because they tag you.
People are tagging you as they bash you?
Yeah. They don’t care. Siempre it’s hurtful, it’s distracting, nakaka-down.
After that, I started getting quiet. I think the other girls noticed also. I think it was one of my friends who commented, “She’s okay now, guys, medyo malungkot lang siya or medyo stressed siya or medyo off lang siya ngayon pero okay naman siya…”
They surprised me during the Chinese New Year event sa Araneta. When we arrived, nandun sila with the banners and they had this huge, I don’t know how they made that thing, ang laki talaga… P-I-A na color gold. Sigaw talaga sila. Nagulat ako. I didn’t tell them to do that. They just did it. They made me feel better. May laban pa pala ako. (laughs) That was the sweetest thing.
What would you like to tell Filipino fans?
Be supportive. I understand that some of you may have had your bets in Binibining Pilipinas who got other crowns or did not make it to the top seven.
But during Miss Universe finals night, I’m not there as Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, No. 10 of Bb. Pilipinas, I’m there as Miss Philippines. So all I’m asking is, you don’t have to praise me or be so supportive.
But just tone it down a bit if you have nothing good to say. Minsan nga hindi umaabot sa akin pero nababasa ng fans from other countries and, honestly, they wonder why fellow Filipinos are bashing the Filipina candidate.
And also, the issue with me not being pure Filipino, with me being half-German…I’m the first Miss Universe Philippines na mestiza. I’m the first with a foreign-sounding last name. Actually, ibang-iba ako sa mold ng Miss Universe Philippines. I know that. I know that I’m not the prototype. I understand… but the thing is, I have done nothing for Germany at all…
I was given the chance to live abroad with my family in England but I chose to live here on my own. This is home for me. This is where I want to live. This is where I see my potential will be appreciated. This is where I want to offer myself.
I’m not literally pure Filipino but my heart is 100 percent Filipino. That’s what I want people to know. Magkababayan po tayo. Diretso po ako mag-Tagalog, kumakain po ako ng kanin at kaya ko pong sumakay ng jeep, sumasakay po ako ng tricycle papuntang school.
Is there anything else you want to say?
To other girls who are dreaming of becoming beauty queens, first of all, you have to be aware. Ask yourself, “Do I really have the potential to be a beauty queen?” And you work from there.
You may not get it the first time. You may lose in a small pageant in your school or university or barangay, but don’t give up. You can actually go straight to Binibini because that’s what I did.
Kahit sabihin natin hindi beauty queen ang dream mo, if you want something, you have to keep trying, and you must be stubborn about your goals but flexible with your methods. Take every chance you can because you never know.
And once you’ve been given that chance—it could be a job, an opportunity to go abroad or to graduate or masagot ka ng nililigawan mo, it could be anything—when you get it, huwag mong kalimutan all the sacrifices you had to make to get there. Don’t take it for granted, don’t waste it.
Remember all the things you had to go through to get that. Don’t rub it in, but just remember so you’re humbled by it.
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