No way can Pia go around incognito

During her recent week-long visit to shoot a commercial for Unilever (and to sit as member of the screening committee at the press presentation of the 40 Bb. Pilipinas aspirants 2016), Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach realized that, even if she wore a disguise, no way could she go around incognito.  With her during her second post-Miss U homecoming were Shawn McClain (VP for Marketing and Business Development of the Miss Universe Organization) and Sgt. Dennis Rodriguez of the NYPD.

When Pia went to an upscale mall, she bought a pair of dark glasses to avoid attracting the crowd — to no avail. Soon, shoppers were calling out her name and started having selfies with her, until the crowd grew so big and so unmanageable that the mall guards had to be called in to maintain order. Pia skipped shopping.

Before flying back to New York, her home during her year-long reign, Pia had an exclusive dinner with her Aces & Queens Family at the Café Ysabel (P. Guevarra St., San Juan City), same restaurant where she recalled she studied Culinary Arts under chef Gene Gonzales. The dinner was, in a way, a reunion between Gene and Pia who attended classes (she was the youngest student) three times a week, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“I would arrive early and take a seat at the first row so I could see up close how things were done,” Pia told the A&Q members (including Jonas Gaffud, Arnold Mercado, lawyer Nad Bronce, Paolo Baysa, Cesar Evangelista, Boyet Blas and Gerry Diaz who shared with Funfare some anecdotes about Pia; together with McClain and Sgt. Rodriguez, and guests Albert Andrada [who designed the blue gown Pia wore at the Miss U finals], Gerry Penaso, Jim Ryan Ross and Carissa Cieldo Medved). “For one activity,” continued Pia, “my team, of which I was appointed executive chef, was assigned to prepare a formal dinner and I chose 12 kinds of tapas for the menu.”

The name Gal Gadot, a former Miss Universe contestant from Israel, came up during the free-wheeling chat because Gadot is playing Wonder Woman in the Batman v Superman which is currently drawing huge crowds in Metro theaters.

Said Gerry, “I reminded Pia that she might realize her dream of becoming the next Bond Girl since there are reports that the next Bond Girl could be either Afro-American or Eurasian (Pia is half-German/half Filipino) but Pia said there’s no such talk, or even ‘feelers,’ yet about it.”

Before the dinner, Pia said the graces and gave thanks for the chance to reunite with her A&Q Family.

“Even with our group,” added Gerry, “Pia was mum about her love life. We asked her about the ‘Sexiest Doctor Alive’ but she begged off kasi daw MUO reminded her not to give interviews.”  

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During the Bb. Pilipinas press presentation, reported Celso de Guzman Caparas, Pia joined the 40 aspirants on stage and gave them this advice:

“....di ba palagi natatanong sa Q&A, ‘what is the essence of pageants? Why do girls join pageants?’ And the answer would be because it is a platform for you to open doors for other opportunities in your life. And don’t forget that. That’s not just a Q&A’s answer for you to win a crown. That’s actually something you really have to believe in, that all of this is temporary. We have to plan ahead and for now, just enjoy the moment, enjoy the moment while you’re here because you’ll never get this moment back again.”

“This year’s batch which consists of graduates from top schools, artists, sports enthusiasts, working professionals, local and international pageant alumnae, is in a very tough competition following the stellar successes of the reigning queens,” noted Celso.

Former Binibinis who attended the event (top photo) were Chiqui Brosas-Hahn, Jennifer Fernando-Dizon, Vida Doria-Legaspi, Sharon Hughes-Bediones, Issa Gonzales-Agana, Gem Padilla-Thomas, Patti Betita, Maricarl Tolosa-Cabel, Dess Verdadero-Abesamis and Evelyn Camus-Alcantara.

Also present were other ex-Binibinis Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Bianca Guidotti, Mafae Yunon-Belasco, Kate Manalo-Hernandez and Bianca Manalo.

2015 Miss Intercontinental first runner-up Christi Lynn McGarry, 2015 Miss International semi-finalist Janicel Lubina and 2015 Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Rogelie Catacutan hosted the event held at the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Hotel. Conspicuously absent was BPCI chair Stella Marquez-Araneta who is in Miami, Florida, USA.

The beauties will showcase Filipino ingenuity in the National Costume and Fashion Show on April 6 at KIA Theater and the public will have the chance to meet them up close during the Parade of Beauties on April 9. The Grand Coronation Night is slated on April 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to be aired on ABS-CBN Channel 2.

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