Page 6 - Hello Philippines January 2016 'B' issue

6 www.hello-philippines.com
Pia talks politics, showbiz and
romance with Fil-Am media
THE night was cold and blustery.
Inside the Philippine Center on Fifth
Avenue, the mood was warm and
convivial. There was a quiet sense
of excitement as people arrived and
assembled at the lobby waiting for Miss
Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
to emerge.
The event was Pia’s meet-and-greet
with the Filipino-American community
since winning Miss Universe in
Las Vegas, a triumph shrouded in
controversy, and also mystery. Due to
the circumstance that had host Steve
Harvey calling out the wrong name of
the winner, the pageant has stirred the
curiosity, ire and condemnation of the
international community, depending
on who you talk to. This was an
unprecedented human error. It has no
historical basis and no precedent on
how to handle the aftermath.
Filipinos around the world reacted
like many others and have since
recovered from the shock. They
are now moving forward with the
celebration and getting to know Pia,
the 64th Miss Universe, and the third
Filipina to win the crown, after Gloria
Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in
1973. Many of them believe that this
episode, a reminder of the frailty of the
IMMIGRATION / OFNEWS January 2016 / Fortnightly – No. 2 • UK & Europe Edition
human psyche, will at best be a lesson
on humility and grace. With members of FilAm media. With her at table is Paula Shugart, president of Miss Universe Organization and Consul General Mario de Leon Jr.
Photo by Boyet Loverita/The FilAm
The Philippine Consulate hosted
a gathering on January 13 where the sorry, guys. (Holds crown) This is my their qualifications; they have to be in the world: Just to be myself, be a
community got to meet Pia, and vice
versa. Invited were various leaders of boyfriend right now. compassionate, selfless, approachable, natural, relatable, and approachable
community organizations, members of On acting and showbiz career: I can firm. These are the qualities I would person. I don’t want people to feel that
the Fil-Am media, and select guests. It
was a well-orchestrated event designed see myself going back to acting. I hope look for. just because you are high up there
to maximize the limited time. There On her own special qualities: I’m very already others cannot aspire to be like
was a little bit of waiting as Pia moved to still be doing that after five or 10
from boardroom to ballroom to meet
with Filipinos, shake their hands and years. persistent as you have known already. you. I want people to feel they can be
oblige with photo-ops. On possibly entering politics: Why When I have a goal, that goal is fixed. my friend.
I don’t negotiate with my goals. But
Accompanied by Consul General not. I’m not closing my doors. I think On how she keeps herself grounded:
Mario de Leon Jr. and Paula
Shugart, president of Miss Universe I have much to learn, get the right my methods of getting to my goals are People keep asking how I am, so I
Organization, Pia faced Fil-Am
reporters and answered pre-screened qualification. I don’t want to let people flexible. So if you believe in something switch it around. I ask people how
questions. She came across as sincere,
down-to-earth, and full of hope for the down. I need to do major homework first. be sure, don’t keep changing your they’re doing. How’s your family, how’s
future. On how to choose the right mind. Be patient, work hard and don’t your sister. Little things like that. Not
give up. everything is about me. n Lindy Rosales / The
Here are excerpts from the Q-A: political candidate: Kilalanin niyo
On how she can make a difference FilAm / Published / January 15, 2016 / 2:25 pm
On romance and the right guy: maige yung iboboto niyo. Look at
I’m not thinking about that right now.
There’s no lucky guy. Bigger things
are in store for me. And I have no
complaints with that.
The problem with me is when I fall
in love. I tend to give my 100 percent
to it. That can’t happen right now.
Everything will have to wait. I’m so