Dannyka Manangan

WHO SAID THIS: How Pia Wurtzbach redefined being confidently beautiful with a heart

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>“I am confidently beautiful with a heart&quot;</p><p>These were the words that Pia Wurtzbach shared in her answer to seal the win and the third crown of the Philippines in Miss Universe. The journey for her leading towards the Miss Universe competition back in 2015 wasn’t the easiest as she had to join Binibining Pilipinas thrice and was met with several doubts from pageant fans. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQDuPhsEc2x/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A191682.59999999404%2C%22ls%22%3A191342.80000001192%2C%22le%22%3A191346.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Let’s take a look back on Pia’s road to success and how she used her influence for the better even after her reign as Miss Universe. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2024/10/15/pia-wurtzbach-reveals-difficulty-of-being-a-public-figure-1024"><strong>READ: Pia Wurtzbach reveals difficulty of being a public figure</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Pia first joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2013 where she won first runner-up just behind Ariella Arida. She then tried her luck once more the following year where she ended at the Top 15 of Binibining Pilipinas. </p><p>Despite losing on her second try, Pia persevered and continued with her dream to become the next representative of the country to Miss Universe. She surprised pageant fans about going for another shot at the crown–– the rest was history. </p><p>Pia trained hard for her dream and to bring pride to her country. In a previous interview with <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong>, she shared how she used her dreams as a fuel to keep fighting.</p><p>“Just keep fighting on. Especially if you have a dream. I always think na kung meron kang vision, you’re already halfway to making it come true. Because there’s nothing worse than not having a dream. If you have a dream, andoon ka na, so just keep working at it,” she previously shared. </p><p>True enough, she would go home as one of the most remembered winners of Miss Universe. American television host and presenter Steve Harvey would announce the wrong candidate to the shock of millions of viewers across the globe. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/7/29/why-pia-wurtzbach-was-present-at-sona-2025-1914"><strong>READ: Why Pia Wurtzbach was present at SONA 2025</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>While she may have had a controversial start which wasn’t her fault, Pia proved that she deserved to win the crown. She was serious about bringing light to the causes that she was passionate about–– raising awareness on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country. </p><p>Even after finishing her stint as a Miss Universe, Pia would remain relevant as she now makes her way in the fashion world. She was recently spotted in the S/S Fashion Week in Paris where she gracefully attended several shows. </p><p>Even though she is busy with building her brand in the fashion industry, Pia has remained true to her commitment in being confidently beautiful with a heart as she partners up with several organizations for her causes.  </p>