Over a thousand fans screamed, shrieked and cried as they gathered at a mall in Dubai for a rare chance to meet the reigning Miss Universe, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
Men and women, young and old alike, came in throngs for an engagement with the 27 year old, who shared fashion and beauty tips in a free-to-attend event at Dragon Mart 2 on Friday. Aside from tips on pulling off a Miss Universe walk and becoming a beauty queen, Wurtzbach also talked about cyberbullying and her advocacy of HIV/AIDS awareness.
“For fashion and beauty, I don’t think you have to overthink it,” Wurtzbach said in an interview with Gulf News tabloid! “Sometimes we think that the more expensive brands will be more effective. Sometimes if you stick to the basics, that’s what really matters. That’s what I do anyway. So, that’s my advice. Beauty and fashion are a form of expression and it doesn’t have to come with a price tag. It depends on what suits each person.”
She also obliged fans, especially children, with selfies and encouraged them to never give up on their dreams. Many came fully prepared for the event, some wearing a Miss Universe sash to emulate their idol. Some lucky ones were given a chance to meet her, but others could only cry and wave from afar.
One more clip from @MissUniverse #PiaWurtzbach's #Dubai visit yesterday at @dragonmart 2. 👸🏻❤️. #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/aBOjdYy4yq
— tabloid! (@GulfNewsTabloid) November 19, 2016
One of the first things Wurtzbach noticed was the large number of her compatriots who live and work in the emirate.
“Oh there’s so many Filipinos,” she said. “I didn’t realise there’s a lot of them here. Even the people who are touring us around were Filipinos and they were very nice. It just feels that like home. It’s great,” said Wurtzbach.
Although her visit was mainly for business, Wurtzbach did squeeze in some time for a desert safari.
The process. 🙌💁🏻 @PlatinumHRTG #DesertSafari pic.twitter.com/MiD4adDiVy
— Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@MissUniverse) November 17, 2016
“It was great,” she said. “That was actually a surprise. My itinerary it didn’t say that we were going on a desert safari, but it was a pleasant surprise definitely when we arrived. When we got there it was just amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it. I only see it on photos, but now I see it in person. It was really great.”
While her journey as Miss Universe is about to end soon, Wurtzbach said her life has changed a lot though the post, in a positive way. She said she will continue to advocate her causes even after handing over her crown.
“There’s really a lot of lessons that I’ve learned from being Miss Universe,” she said. “I don’t even know where to begin. Just being able to travel a lot and meet people from different walks of life. I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like it or would experience anything like it. It’s really something. When they say a girl’s life is about to change tonight during the pageant, it’s true, because my life really did change that night.”
