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.