Even before she started joining beauty pageants, Pia Wurtzbach said her ultimate dream was to become a movie star. “I’ve always wanted to be a beauty queen. Alam naman ng lahat yun. Bata pa lang ako napapanuod ko sa TV, gusto ko siya. Pero yung ini-aim ko nung panahon na yun na nag-di-dream ako na Miss Universe, artista na ako nung bata ako at gusto ko talagang magkaroon ng lead role at magkaroon ng movie, ganyan. So I can say that before Miss Universe this was my first dream. I am so grateful kasi parang now I understand why I had to go through all of those challenges ng pagkatalo kasi dadating din pala at the right time. I’m so happy,” she shared during the My Perfect You presscon held last March 10 inside the ABS-CBN compound.

In My Perfect You, Pia plays resort owner Abby who meets a heartbroken guest named Bern (played by Gerald Anderson). “Si Abby yung may-ari ng resort and siya yung super bubbly na character. She’s a ball of sunshine and palaging mataas yung energy niya, palagi lang siyang masaya,” she explained.

Pia admitted that during her first meeting with Star Cinema director Cathy Garcia-Molina, she was told that she was fat. “Siyempre (may kirot) pero totoo naman eh. Kasi galing ako sa bakasyon nun so nung una niya akong nakita mataba talaga ako. Tanggap ko yun at saka yun yung lagi kong sinasabi din sa set na parang ang taba ko. Pero insecurity ko na rin yun ng everyday of my life. Kasi ganun talaga eh pag beauty queen lahat napapansin sa sarili mo. I appreciate her honesty at dahil nga sobrang totoo niya, pag nagsabi naman siya ng good thing, alam mo na totoo talaga and namnamin mo yun kasi minsan lang yun (laughs),” she said.

Despite having to face tough scrutiny in her first starring role, Pia said she has nothing but admiration for her My Perfect You director. “Sa isip ko meron akong list ng mga mentors na sobrang nirerespeto ko at ginagalang ko at kasama sa list na yun yung ilan sa mga nag-train sa akin sa pageant na hindi niyo na kilala. Pero meron akong list of people in my head na pag sila ang nagbigay sa akin ng advice nakikinig talaga ako. Parang parent na rin yung tingin ko sa kanila. And I would say na si direk Cathy ang pinakabagong na-add dun sa list ko na hindi lang niya ako tinuruan kung paano umarte sa pelikula na ‘to, pero ang dami rin niyang naturo sa akin na life lessons. Kailangan mo siya ma-experience eh para maintindihan mo yung sinsasabi namin,” she explained.