Pia Wurtzbach

Pia Wurtzbach

Beauty pageant titleholder
Wearing a Filipina Maria Clara terno during Binibining Pilipinas 2015.
Born	Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach September 24, 1989 Stuttgart, Germany
Hometown	Iligan City, Philippines Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
Occupation	Beauty queen, actress, model
Years active	2002–present
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Measurements	34-23-35
Hair color	Brown
Eye color	Brown
Title(s)	Miss Universe Philippines 2015 Miss Universe 2015
Major competition(s)	Binibining Pilipinas 2013 (1st runner-up) Binibining Pilipinas 2014 (Top 15) Binibining Pilipinas 2015 (Miss Universe Philippines 2015) Miss Universe 2015 (Winner)

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach^[2] (born September 24, 1989),^[3] once professionally known as Pia Romero,^[4][5][6] is a Filipino actress, TV Host, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 2015 on December 20, 2015 after becoming Miss Universe Philippines 2015 at the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 pageant on March 15, 2015.^[7][8]

Early life and background

Wurtzbach was born in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, in then West Germany, to a German father and Filipino mother. Her middle name of "Alonzo" is her mother's maiden name which is a naming practice in the Philippines and based upon Spanish naming customs. From Iligan City, she later moved to Cagayan de Oro City^[9] in the country's Northern Mindanao region where she attended kindergarten at Kong Hua School and primary school at Corpus Christi.^[10] Her parents separated when she was 11 years old and she became the family's main money-earner until the age of 18 by doing modeling and acting.^[6] After being raised in the Philippines, she spent several years in England.^[11] She finished her secondary education at ABS-CBN Distance Learning School in Quezon City, Metro Manila and studied culinary arts at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies in San Juan, Metro Manila.^[12][13][14]

Acting career

Wurtzbach is a professional model, actress, host and TV personality. She began acting at age four under the stage name "Pia Romero". Managed by ABS-CBN's theatrical agency, Star Magic, she was included on the Star Circle Batch 11. Among her TV credits are the teen-oriented series K2BU, the concert variety program ASAP, the romance anthology Your Song, the sitcom show Bora, and the drama series Sa Piling Mo.^{[14][15][16][17]} She appeared in films such as Kung Ako Na Lang Sana (2003), All My Life (2004), and All About Love (2006).^[15] She went on to become a stylist, makeup artist and beauty writer for Philippine Daily Inquirer's 2bU section.^[12][18]

Wurtzbach speaks fluent Cebuano, English and Tagalog.^[19] She also speaks basic German, describing it as "Enough to get myself a bratwurst".^[20][21]

Pageantry

Binibining Pilipinas

Wurtzbach joined the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant three times before winning the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title. During Binibining Pilipinas 2013, she was named as the first runner-up because she took fifth place.^[22] She joined the Binibining Pilipinas 2014, but only placed in the top 15.^[23] A controversy erupted when she failed to win any title following her question-and-answer portion.^[11] She was asked a question in Tagalog by a Filipino judge, Senator Sonny Angara, which she answered in Tagalog.^[11] Online commentators wondered if the question and answer in Tagalog cost her points from the international judges and, therefore, any title that year.^[11] On her third attempt for the title in 2015, she won the highest title, Miss Universe Philippines, and went on to compete in the Miss Universe 2015 Pageant.^[24]

Miss Universe 2015

Wurtzbach represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2015 held on December 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. At the end of the show, host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez as the winner. However, after Gutiérrez's crowning, Harvey returned to the stage and stated that he had misread the results and that Wurtzbach was really Miss Universe 2015. Paulina Vega (Miss Universe 2014) then removed the crown from Gutiérrez's head and placed it on Wurtzbach's head.^[25]

During the first question and answer round, Wurtzbach was asked by host Steve Harvey: "Earlier this year, there was a controversy in the Philippines about the United States reopening of military base in your country. Do you think the United States should have a military presence in your country?", Wurtzbach answered:

I think that the United States and the Philippines have always had a good relationship with each other. We were colonized by the Americans and we have their culture in our traditions even up to this day and I think that we're very welcoming with the Americans. And I don't see any problem with that at all.^[26]

In the final question and answer portion, the top three contestants were asked the same question by Harvey: "Why should you be the next Miss Universe?" and she replied:

To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth, and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart. Thank you.^[26]

Wurtzbach is the third Miss Universe from the Philippines after Gloria Diaz in 1969, and Margarita Moran in 1973.^[27][28][29]

On January 21, 2016, she traveled to Bali, Indonesia to shoot a commercial for C 1000, a vitamin brand available in Indonesia.^[30] Two days later, on January 23, 2016, she arrived in the Philippines for a week-long homecoming celebration with visits to the cities of Manila, Makati, Pasay and Quezon City. She also had courtesy calls to the Congress of the Philippines, Senate of the Philippines and Malacañang Palace.^[31][32]

On February 1, 2016, she arrived in San Francisco to fulfill her duties as Inside Edition's special correspondent for Super Bowl 50.^[33][34] While in San Francisco, she was also reunited with Janine Tugonon, Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-up from the Philippines.^[35]

Wurtzbach before throwing out a first pitch for the Mets.

On February 28, 2016, she travelled to Toronto, Canada to deliver a speech against bullying at the Speakers Forum for the International Students of the Language Academy of Canada wherein she shared some of her childhood experiences as a victim of bullying. During her stay in Canada, she was reunited with Miss Universe Canada 2015, Paola Nunez Valdez. She also met and gave some advice to the contestants of Miss Universe Canada 2016.^{[36][37][38][39]}

On March 25, 2016, Wurtzbach returned to the Philippines for an unannounced visit to take care of some personal things including renewing her Philippine passport, charity works and film a new commercial for Philippine Airlines.^{[40][41][42][43]} She also met and gave advice to the candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2016 during their press presentation.^[44][45][46] On April 12, 2016 she came back to the Philippines for the Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant^[47] and on April 17 crowned her successor Maxine Medina as Miss Universe Philippines 2016 during the coronation night.^[48] During the pageant she was reunited with Miss Myanmar 2015, May Barani Thaw and Miss Malaysia 2015, Vanessa Tevi while Miss Universe 2015 2nd runner-up Olivia Jordan served as a judge.^[49] Wurtzbach's farewell speech and walk at Binibining Pilipinas 2016 as Miss Universe Philippines 2015, trended at social media with enormous hits.^[50]

On April 21, 2016, Wurtzbach arrived in Peru to attend Miss Peru 2016 pageant where she served as a judge. She also had a press conference a day before the pageant and was greeted by the Lima City Mayor, Luis Castaneda and received an honor of being "The Distinguished Guest of Lima". Wurtzbach along with Miss Peru 2015, Laura Spoya crowned Valeria Piazza, Miss Peru 2016

On April 27, 2016, Wurtzbach threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the New York Mets.

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network
1996-2011; 2016-present	ASAP	Herself/Performer	ABS-CBN
2003–2004	It Might Be You	Allison/Mary Lou
2005–2006	Bora: Sons of the Beach	Pia
2006	Sa Piling Mo	Julia
2011	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Stroller	Elaine
	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Birth Certificate	Michelle
2012	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Komiks	Marilou
	Aryana	Dikya/Jelay
	Third Eye: Sirena sa Breakwater	Sari	TV5

Films

Year	Title	Role	Producer	Note/s
2003	Kung Ako Na Lang Sana	young Chari	Star Cinema	credited as Pia Romero
2004	All My Life	Sarah
2006	All About Love	Carmi

References

1. Lo, Ricky (March 7, 2014). "PLDT presents 2014 Bb. Pilipinas pageant". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 8, 2015.
2. Beltran, Llhonette (December 24, 2015). "13 photos from Pia Wurtzbach's childhood and teenage years". Philippines: PEP (GMA New Media). Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
3. Marzon, April Argen Pat B. (March 23, 2015). "Bb. Pilipinas Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach: Cdeo is my second home". Sun.Star (Philippines). Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
6. "5 Things to Know About Miss Universe Winner Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach". ABC News. December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
7. Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach Crowned Winner of Miss Universe 2015, zeibiz.com; retrieved December 21, 2015.
8. Rebecca Macatee (December 21, 2015). "Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach: 5 Things to Know About Miss Philippines". E! News. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
9. "Miss Universe host announces wrong winner before Miss Philippines crowned". Reuters UK. December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
10. Philippines Sunstar website; accessed December 23, 2015.
11. Kristine Angeli Sabillo (March 31, 2014). "Did Angara ruin Pia Wurtzbach’s chances at Bb. Pilipinas?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
12. "Bb. Pilipinas Universe is Inquirer Lifestyle's own, a best friend". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 18, 2015.
13. "Pia Wurtzbach: Bb. Pilipinas #15 Profile, Bios, & Photos". Philippine News. April 14, 2013.
14. "Pia Romero Video, Celebrity Interview and Paparazzi". OVGuide. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
15. "From an aspiring teen star to a 'beauty queen' – Pia Wurtzbach. Who is she?". Star Cinema. April 4, 2014.
16. "Meet 5 celebrity beauties in 2013 Binibining Pilipinas". ABS-CBN News. February 23, 2013.
17. "Pia Wurtzbach bags Miss Universe PH crown, leads Bb. Pilipinas winners". InterAksyon. March 16, 2015.
18. "Congratulations, Pia! Inquirer Lifestyle's 2bU stylist is Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2015". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 16, 2015.
19. Rebecca Macatee (December 21, 2015). "Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach: 5 Things to Know About Miss Philippines". E!. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
20. Noël Duan (January 19, 2016). "Why Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach Doesn’t Have Time for Drama". Yahoo!. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
21. "Pia Wurtzbach Speak German". Youtube. February 13, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
22. Michael Josh Villanueva (April 15, 2013). "Binibining Pilipinas 2013 winners crowned". Rappler. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
23. "FULL LIST: Winners at the Bb Pilipinas 2014 coronation night". Rappler. March 31, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
24. "Wurtzbach finally bags crown, to vie for Miss Universe". ABS-CBN News. March 16, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
25. Lovece, Frank (December 21, 2015). "Miss Universe 2015 Pageant mistakenly crowns miss Colombia the winner". Newsday (New York). Retrieved December 22, 2015.
26. "Q&A: Pia Wurtzbach on US presence, being Miss Universe". Philippine Star. December 21, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
27. "Pia Wurtzbach is PH's third Miss Universe winner". ABS-CBNnews.com. December 21, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
28. "Heroine’s welcome home for Philippines’ Miss Universe". The National. January 25, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
29. "PIA WURTZBACH IS PH’S THIRD MISS UNIVERSE WINNER". Balitang America. December 21, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
30. "Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach in Bali, Indonesia". normannorman. January 21, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
31. "Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach arrives in Manila".
32. Lara Tan (January 25, 2016). "LOOK: Pia Wurtzbach's homecoming schedule". CNN Philippines. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
33. Christina Alpad (February 3, 2016). "Miss U Pia Wurtzbach stirs up Super Bowl". The Manila Times. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
34. "LOOK: Pia Wurtzbach starts job as special correspondent for Super Bowl". Rappler. February 2, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
35. "WATCH: Pia Wurtzbach takes tour of San Francisco". Philippine Star. February 9, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
36. Jay Warmington (February 28, 2016). "Miss Universe spreads her message in T.O.". Toronto Sun. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
37. Rachelle Cruz (March 2, 2016). "Pia Wurtzbach: 'I experience bullyig in different forms'". ABS-CBNnews.com. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
38. "Pia's advice to Miss U Canada candidates: Be nice to everyone". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 2, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
39. "Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach visits Canada". GMA News and Public Affairs. March 2, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
40. "Pia Wurtzbach arrives in Manila unannounced". ABS-CBNnews.com. March 25, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
41. "Pia gets her passport renewed". Twitter. April 1, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
42. "Pia Wurtzbach visits children from international charity". GMA News and Public Affairs. March 26, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
43. "Pia Wurtzbach and the #HeartoftheFilipino in new TV ad". GMA News and Public Affairs. April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
44. Romsanne Ortiguerro (March 30, 2016). "'Enjoy the moment': Pia Wurtzbach's 'confidently beautiful' advice to Bb. Pilipinas 2016 candidates". Interaksyon. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
45. "Here's why Pia returned to PH on Good Friday". ABS-CBNnews.com. March 29, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
46. "Pia has advice fof Bb. Pilipinas 2016 candidates". ABS-CBNnews.com. March 30, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
47. Alixandra Caole Vila (April 13, 2016). "Pia Wurtzbach arrives in Manila for Bb. Pilipinas 2016". Philippine Star. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
48. "Maxine Medina crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2016". Rappler. April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
49. "'Besties' unite: Miss USA, Malaysia and Myanmar arrive in Manila". ABS-CBNnews.com. April 16, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
50. "The Historic Farewell of Queen P!". Retrieved 18 April 2016.

External links

• Pia Wurtzbach at the Internet Movie Database
• Pia Wurtzbach on Instagram
• Pia Wurtzbach on Twitter