Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach has reacted to the viral video that circulated online showing a Colombian burning her effigy which enraged Filipino netizens.
In her interview with ABS-CBN’s “Umagang kay Ganda” on Tuesday, Wurtzbach said that when she learned about the controversial video, she did some research and found that it is a tradition in Colombia.
READ: VIRAL: Pia Wurtzbach, Steve Harvey effigies burned in Colombia
“Nabalitaan ko yun at saka nung nag research ako ng kaunti, nalaman ko na part pala ng tradition nila na every New Year, sinusunog nila yung bad memories para hindi na maulit sa susunod na bagong taon,” she said.
(I heard news about it and when I researched a little bit, I found out that it a part of their tradition that every New Year, they burn the bad memories so it won’t happen again next New Year.)
Wurtzbach then thanked Miss Universe for immersing her in different cultures.
“Kaya sa akin kung hindi ako sanay sa ganung tradition, parang medyo bago siya para sa akin… Iyan ang kinaganda ng Miss Universe, may matutunan ka tungkol sa mga customs ng ibang mga bansa. Yung iba medyo nakakagulat pero ganun talaga,” Wurtzbach added.
(As for me, I am not used to such tradition, it is somewhat new to me…That’s what makes the Miss Universe wonderful, you will learn about the customs of other countries. Some are shocking but it is just like that.)
The video was uploaded by a certain Noider Almanza Barraza and he received criticism from netizens saying that Colombians are still hurt when their bet Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez did not win Miss Universe.
Barraza later apologized and explained that the burning of effigies is part of the traditional “año viejo” (old year) where Latin Americans burn dolls which remind them of bad memories of the past year.
READ: Colombian who burned Pia Wurtzbach in effigy says ‘sorry’
Meanwhile, Wurtzbach also answered questions regarding her homecoming and her love life.
The 26-year-old beauty queen said that she is excited to come home to the Philippines.
“Naku, excited na rin ako, and sa tingin ko diyan ako maiiyak talaga pag nakauwi na ako, kasi na mimiss ko na ang Pilipinas eh. Parang ang tagal ko nang hindi nakakauwi,” she gushed.
(I’m excited as well and I think I’ll cry when I come home because I miss the Philippines. It seems like it has been so long since I last went home.)
Regarding her love life, she shared that she is currently single, joking that she expected that suitors would woo her following her victory.
“Wala pa nga eh. Nagtataka na nga ako kung anong problema kung bakit wala. Nanalo na nga ako ng Miss Universe, wala pa rin? Biro lang. Wala talaga,” Wurtzbach said in jest.
(None yet. That’s why I’m wondering what the problem is why there is none yet. I already won the Miss Universe but there is none yet? Just kidding. There is none yet really.)
Wurtzbach once dated President Benigno Aquino III.
She ended her interview with a message of gratitude to Filipinos who supported her bid to the crown: “Mga kababayan, maraming salamat po sa pagsuporta at pagboto ninyo sa akin. Mga kakababayan ko diyan sa Pilipinas at sa buong mundo, maraming salamat na inabangan ninyo yung Miss Universe at tinulungan niyo ako na maka-advance sa bawat part ng competition. Malaking tulong yung suporta nyo sa akin.”
(Fellow Filipinos, thank you very much for supporting and voting for me. My fellow countrymen there in the Philippines and in the whole world, thank you very much that you watched Miss Universe and you helped me advance in every part of the competition. Your support for me was a huge help.)
“Sana napasaya ko po kayo and iyon lang po talaga ang importante sa akin na maging proud kayo sa akin at mapatunayan ko na I deserve to be Miss Universe Philippines and I will win Miss Universe. And yung pagkapanalo ko dini-dedicate ko sa inyong lahat, inaalay ko sa inyo. Excited na ako umuwi, magkita-kita po tayo soon,” she said.
(I hope I was able to make you happy and that is what important, that you are proud of mr and I was able to prove that I deserve to be Miss Universe Philippines and I will win Miss Universe. And I dedicate to all of you my win. I’m excited to go home, we will see each other soon.)
Prior to appearing in “Umagang Kay Ganda,” Wurtzbach was also a guest in “Good Morning America” and “Live with Kelly and Michael.” AJH/RAM
