Julia Christine Botin

From Wurtzbach to Jauncey: Why Pia decided to take husband's surname

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747726252610950x633 1 (1).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pia and Jeremy Jauncey. <em>Pia Jauncey/Instagram </em></span></span></span></div><p>She was first known as Pia Romero when she joined showbiz at a young age. </p><p>As she entered the pageant scene, she went on to use her real name, Pia Wurtzbach, which eventually became synonymous with Miss Universe 2015 as the entire Philippines celebrated her historic feat.</p><p>Wurtzbach has since become one of the most most recognizable Filipino personalities, her face appearing on covers of magazines both here and abroad. In 2023, she marked yet another milestone as she married the love of her life, travel entrepreneur Jeremy Jauncey.</p><p>Two years later, the beauty queen-actress is reintroducing herself to the world: as Pia Jauncey. </p><p>She even made it Instagram official, changing her handle to reflect her husband&#x27;s surname.</p><p>&quot;We&#x27;re the Jaunceys now,&quot; she said in an interview with Preview, where she appears as the local fashion magazine&#x27;s latest cover star. &quot;After a while, I started feeling like &#x27;Pia Wurtzbach&#x27; didn’t feel right anymore.&quot;</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJYPl8MT2C1/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=485&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A160822.80000019073%2C%22ls%22%3A160575.70000004768%2C%22le%22%3A160627.60000014305%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="880" 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><p>She went on to explain how this move aligns with their plans to start a family. &quot;One day when we have kids, I would want them to see that we share the same last name as their dad. It&#x27;s a bit of a traditional move for Jeremy, but it doesn&#x27;t really bother me,&quot; she explained.</p><p>The former Miss Universe went on to share how her name change is her way of celebrating her new life that feels secure and gentle after two decades of hustling, being a breadwinner, and proving her worth.</p><p>&quot;That&#x27;s a feeling you can&#x27;t buy,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;Even if my whole house was filled with all the shoes and bags that I dreamed of, or if I had all of the crowns and titles that I dreamed of... I don&#x27;t think those would compare to the feeling of not being alone anymore.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/19/pia-wurtzbach-on-entering-fashion-week-scene-i-didn-t-want-this-to-be-a-competition-1439">Pia Wurtzbach on entering fashion week scene: &#x27;I didn&#x27;t want this to be a competition&#x27;</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/05/05/23/pia-wurtzbach-jeremy-jauncey-get-married-on-the-beach">WATCH: Pia Wurtzbach, Jeremy Jauncey get married on the beach</a></div>