Pia welcomes move not to hold Miss U in Phl
Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach welcomed the government’s move not to host the international pageant in the Philippines this year. The country has previously hosted Miss U three times — 1974, 1994 and most recently in January 2017.
In reports, newly appointed Tourism Sec. Berna Romulo-Puyat scrapped the supposed plans due to budget constraints even if it will have the same arrangement as the last time where expenses were mostly shouldered by the private sector. To recall, her predecessor Wanda Tulfo-Teo had said that even Pres. Duterte wanted the Miss U to be held in Boracay when it is re-opened after a six-month rehabilitation.
Pia, who continues to be an ambassador for the Miss U Organization after her 2015 reign, agreed with the decision.
“We just had the pageant here anyways, so I think it’s OK. If there are other countries that are bidding to be host country and they can do a great job at it, and do a credible show, then go, why not?” she told The STAR on the sidelines of the launch of her newest endorsement (with boyfriend Marlon Stockinger) for Blue Water Day Spa last Tuesday.
There are reports that it will be held in either Macau or South Korea. “It usually takes a long time before they announce (the venue). Like when Miss Universe was held here, it was almost a few months nalang. So, maybe soon. June pa naman
ngayon. We’ll see. I’m excited for what’s in store. Sana malapit lang para madaling puntahan ng mga Pilipino.”
Nevertheless, she said that plans to hold it in Asia would be good news for the Pinoy pageant fans.
“I think wherever the Miss Universe will be held, lilipad pa rin yung mga Pilipino dyan at makakagawa ng paraan.
And yung Russia nga dati, nagawan natin ng paraan. Yung malalapit pa kaya? If indeed, it is Macau or South Korea, then malapit lang yun. That’s good news.”
She believes it is also good news for the country’s bet, Catriona Gay. “It’s good news for Catriona because
maraming makakapunta na Filipinos, and I think it’s a nice feeling to compete abroad. I feel like it’s also special to do it here because you’re doing it in front of your countrymen but perhaps it’s also a nice feeling when you’re packing your bags, you’re leaving and riding the plane, so it would be nice that Catriona will be able to experience that.”
Catriona has a good shot at winning the beauty contest, according to Pia, who became the third Pinay to wear the Miss U crown after Margie Moran (1974) and Gloria Diaz (1969). “I think that she has a very good chance. She’s a total package. When I say she’s a total package, you have nothing negative to say against her. So, very exciting ang Miss Universe this year.”
Meanwhile, Pia has always been vocal about her intention to pursue a career in the US but she admitted that it has to take a backseat for now. After doing the movie
My Perfect You early this year, she will be back both on the big and small screens.
“May show, may movie, it’s very exciting,” she said but begged off from dishing out other details.
“Right now, I have a lot of work and commitments that I have to fulfill here before I could move back to the States to fulfill my other dreams,” she said.