QUEZON CITY – Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach recently said she is aware that fans of the Binibining Pilipinas candidates can be extremely feisty, to the point of getting into heated arguments and online bashing.
Hence, she is appealing for sobriety in the toxic online world of pageant portals.
Getting along…
“I understand we’re very passionate in our pageants. But these girls are working hard to lead by example just by getting along with each other. So if they can get along, why can’t we?” Wurtzbach told the Inquirer on the sidelines of the celebration for “World Gin Day 2019” hosted by Ginebra San Miguel in Quezon City Friday night.
Wurtzbach is Ginebra’s featured calendar girl this year.
‘Encourage others’
When she was still a candidate, Pia said, she reminded her “Pianatics” not to put other candidates down, and instead encourage them to shine, too.
“If you have a favorite candidate, just focus on that candidate,” she said.
The ills of bashing
Wurtzbach said online bashing adversely affects pageant candidates.
“People forget, behind all this makeup and gowns, we are people who have feelings,” she explained.
“That somebody’s sister, or daughter or friend. That’s one thing that I feel like we all need to remember. Just be mindful with what we say online,” the beauty queen continued.
Promising batch
Wurtzbach shared that she found the 2019 Bb. Pilipinas candidates to be “mababait” and have a “sisterhood bonding.”
She also said the ladies are “very prepared” that a June pageant was no concern at all.
“The pageant is usually held in March. But for me there’s no problem holding it in June this year because I feel the girls don’t need too much preparation to compete internationally,” Wurtzbach shared.
‘Stage presence, eloquence, with a heart’
If she were to choose this year’s winners, Wurtzbach said she would look for stage presence because “first and foremost this is a competition where you have to be onstage.”
She also added that eloquence is imperative.
But the most important quality for her is the “heart.”
“You can train for stage presence and eloquence. But you’re not going to last in the competition if you do not have the heart. It’s going to get tiring if you’re not passionate,” she explained.
The 2019 Bb. Pilipinas coronation night will be staged tonight, Sunday, June 9, 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. /gsg