It's been nearly a decade since Pia Wurtzbach claimed the Miss Universe crown in 2015.
Yet, she remains steadfast in her iconic winning answer: "To influence the youth, and I would raise awareness to certain causes, like HIV awareness, that is timely and relevant to my country, which is the Philippines."
On Sunday, November 10, 2024, Pia took the lead in launching the Love Gala 2024 at The Vault in Bonifacio Global City.
PIA WURTZBACH: LOVE GALA 2024
The Love Gala 2024 is a charity and awards event organized by Love Yourself Inc., a non-government organization founded by Dr. Ronivin "Vinn" Garcia Pagtakhan.
The organization provides free HIV testing, counseling, treatment, and life coaching across the Philippines.
At the launch, Pia mentioned that the gala will be dedicated to honoring loved ones affected by HIV/AIDS and celebrating those who have made significant contributions to the organization's mission.
Pia said, "We're also thinking about the lives and the people, our loved ones that we've lost... But we're also celebrating the wins and we're looking forward to the goals and the innovations and the progress that's going to happen pa.
"So, lots to talk about, lots to celebrate about. And it's a good opportunity for everyone to come together because when we talk about HIV and AIDS, it's usually solemn.
"It's usually may kasamang sadness, may kasamang turuan, may kasamang sisihan, may kasamang negativity, ganyan.
"But with this, what my goal is really to make it into something a bit more balanced. And so far, we've been successful at it, and now we're at our fifth year."
The event holds special significance for Pia, as this marks the first time she has been deeply involved with the preparations.
"This is the first time that I've been this hands-on with the Love Gala. And it's so new to me. I feel like I'm prepared for a wedding because I am really so hands-on from day one pa lang up to now."
EXHIBIT AND CHARITY AUCTION
For this edition of Love Gala, Pia is auctioning some of her Miss Universe memorabilia.
Read: Pia Wurtzbach is auctioning off her pageant items
The idea came to her in February, and she expressed gratitude to Atty. Patricia Yvonne "PY" Caunan, Undersecretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, for inspiring her to organize the charity auction.
Pia said of Atty. Caunan, "Sabi niya, 'Okay, pag-isipan mo kung ano, saan mo itong gustong gawin, paano mo itong gustong gawin, and for what cause?'
"And so I thought about it."
It took less than a week for Pia to get in touch with Dr. Ronivin "Vinn" Garcia Pagtakhan, whom she fondly calls "Mama Vinn."
Pia continued, "And, you know, nung binalikan ko yung mga WhatsApp messages, wala pang one week, tumawag na ako kay Mama Vinn.
"Tapos nasa Dubai ako nito, isang oras kami nag-uusap sa phone.
"Sabi ko, 'Mama Vinn, may time ka ba? Kasi mayroon akong gustong, may idea ko. The puzzle pieces are there, pero hindi ko pa siya mabuo. So, can you help me?
"'I have an idea. I think I can do this. Maybe, if it's not possible, maybe you can point me in the right direction.'
"An hour's conversation later, nabuo na namin siya."
When asked about the memorabilia piece that holds the most sentimental value for her, Pia mentioned her notebooks, which contain notes from her pageant journey.
She told the press, "It was actually the last thing I took out of my closet. Kasi it took me some time to really think if I was ready to give these out.
"Di ba mahilig akong mag-notes? Lahat ng mga possible questions na mga puwede sa Q&A. Pero walang mga sagot...
"Kasi pagka nag-Q&A training kami dati, kahit hindi sa akin yung tanong, sinusulat ko pa rin. Kasi baka matanong sa akin next time. So ang dami kong notes doon.
"From three years of joining, I have three [notebooks]. And then meron din akong mga drawings sa likod ng blocking ng stage. It's really interesting.
"If you're a pageant fan, it's really interesting to see.
"And my dates: first day of screening, first day of preliminaries, first day of ganito-ganyan. The possible questions.
"I think nandun din yung note ko nung 'Confidently Beautiful with a Heart.' Nasulat ko din yun doon. Kasi I wrote that, I think, two nights before the final night.
"So, it's like a diary. And as I was going through it—I scanned it, of course. So I have copies to look back onto—But I felt like, 'It's okay. I'm ready. I'm ready.'"
For Pia, these notes represent her journey toward winning the crown, and while they mean a lot to her, she's ready to give them up for her advocacy work.
"Yun yung pinaka-sentimental para sa akin. Kasi yun yung mga time na siyempre nag-uumpisa pa lang ako. 'Tapos hindi ka naman sure kung makakapasok ka.
"Tapos notes ka lang nang notes. Umaasa ka lang. Nagsusulat ka ng mantra. Nagsusulat ka ng mga notes mo. Tapos di ako nanalo nung first time so tinago ko na lang yun.
"And then I did again the next year... And so I felt like, wow, these are really like– this was me. This was me when I was still vying for the crown.
"And that's the most sentimental to me. Pero for the advocacy, I will do it."
Pia mentioned that some of the memorabilia will also be showcased at the gala.
Additionally, a website will be launched where everyone can place their bids for the auction.
PIA WURTZBACH: FUND FOR THE YOUTH CENTER
Pia also disclosed that the proceeds from the auction will be allocated to "something meaningful, purposeful."
She said, "All of the proceeds will go towards a youth center that we are building with Taguig City.
"It's for the youth. So I said, let's do this. It feels right. I'm ready to do it.
"And nothing would make me happier than knowing that all of these things that are so dear to me that I've accumulated over the years are going back to something meaningful, purposeful."
The youth center is in line with Pia's goal of becoming a better advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness.
She continued, "I always challenge myself, how can I be a better advocate? It's not enough for me anymore to just talk and do the videos about raising awareness.
"I want something that's real, that I can see, that I can feel, that it's tangible, that will help keep people alive."
Pia said the youth center will include an HIV/AIDS facility along with other services specifically catering to the needs of young people.
"The youth center is not just going to be focused on HIV and AIDS, only that we want it to be more broad.
"We want it to have more services. Meron ding mental health counseling. Meron ding treatment and testing for other STIs.
"Merong reproductive health... Nutrition, yes. So many other things that we could include in the youth center and not just focus on one thing.
"And because I feel like this is an opportunity to do it, sayang naman. Why not? Why not make it a one-stop shop kind of facility?"
By offering these services in one location, Pia and the Love Yourself team aim to combat the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
Pia explained, "Kasi napansin ko nga na stigma, e, problema, e, alam mo yung ganoon.
"So, it's a safe space for everyone and then you could be there for maybe to hang out, maybe you're a volunteer, maybe you're there for a seminar, maybe you're there for just to your tambayan, ganyan."
CELEBRATING A DECADE WITH LOVE YOURSELF INC.
Embracing this advocacy as her life's mission, Pia reflects that her journey has been both meaningful and enlightening.
This is why she continues her dedicated work with the non-government organization.
In her words, "I've been with Love Yourself for quite some time now, 10 years na.
"And I started at Love Yourself as an ambassador, as a volunteer, as someone who was still really a student na marami pa akong hindi alam nung nag-uumpisa ako.
"And, siyempre, over the years na sumasama ako sa mga programa, sumasama ako sa mga community centers, saka hindi palagi kasi press conference na ganito, e.
"Marami rin kaming activities where I'm really sitting down and speaking to people who are living with HIV.
"And I get to hear real stories and real conversations. And I get to have like a real picture of what it is, and what it feels like, and what it looks like, and what it is like here in the Philippines."
Reflecting on her journey since her Miss Universe days, she acknowledges that while awareness and education are vital, deeper issues like fear and stigma continue to prevent individuals, particularly the youth, from seeking treatment.
This has also inspired Pia to create a tangible impact beyond just raising awareness and educating people about HIV/AIDS.
"I'm always trying to find ways to be a more effective advocate. At first, my goal was to raise awareness.
"As I said in my answer at Miss Universe, 'To raise awareness about HIV, especially in the Philippines...' Alam niyo, you know that story, that answer already.
"But then, what I learned throughout the years that I've been working with Love Yourself is that, yes, the awareness still has to be there, the education.
"But there's still so many things that need to be tackled. People know that, well, most people, a lot of people probably already know that testing and treatment is free.
"Pero bakit mayroon pa rin tayong mga mahal sa buhay na choose not to get treated?
"It's because of fear. It's because of the stigma. It's because of so many layers that they have to go through.
"And so many of them are so young."
Realizing that raising awareness alone isn't enough, Pia is now focused on taking action and evolving strategies with Love Yourself Inc.
She expressed, "I felt na, 'Okay, parang hindi na enough yung mga ginagawa ko na raising awareness.'
"'Now it's time for action. Now it's time to change the strategy a little bit with Love Yourself.' I want to be a more effective advocate.
"So I'm always in constant communication with Love Yourself. And saying na, I feel like I can do more.
"I feel more prepared. Marami na rin akong natutunan. What else can we do? So it's always a continuous thing."
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