Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines revealed that she has experienced bullying in all forms as she called for a change of values to accept the differences.
“I experienced bullying in different forms. I experienced it in school. I felt I was the odd one out growing up in the province where I was half-Filipino, half-German but I was a full-bloodied Filipina and of course I was the tallest in my class,” said Wurzbach, during a speech before students of the International Language Academy of Canada in Toronto recently.
“I felt kinda awkward. I went through an awkward phase. I had some kids making fun of me for that. And also being in the public eye, I was an actress. There was a lot of scrutiny,” Wurtzbach added.
But the Filipino-German beauty told the students that she never conceded to bullying.
“As a public figure, do I have to concede to bullying? And my answer is a big fat no!” she said.
Wurtzbach, 27, pushed for change of values in accepting our differences.
“What we need here and the rest of the world is a change of values…to accept our differences.”
“That is a fact if life. And the more we become accepting, the more that we become tolerant. And the more we care,” Wurtzbach also said.
Her speech drew applause from the audience.
“She was the person who started working at the age 11. She was the breadwinner of her family and she is someone who worked hard for success. An inspiration,” City Councilman Tom Takocevic told TFC “Balitang America.”
“Telling her the story of all her hardships, all the trials she has gone through to be able to where she is, that’s inspiring,” said Eva Reyes, one of those who listened to the talk of Wurtzbach.
“I’ve definitely matured now,” the beauty queen said.
The anti-bullying event has also raised some US$7,000 which will benefit the Sick Kids Foundation.
Coming home
Sources also said that the Miss Universe Organization is now arranging the schedule of Wurtzbach who will visit again the country in April.
Wurtzbach made a triumphant homecoming to the Philippines from January 23 to 28, 2016.
“She’s very busy these days. Hindi na mahagilap. Before, when we text her, she would immediately reply.This time, it would take a day or two before she could even text back,” the source said.
Wurtzbach will be the special guest at the 2016 Bb. Pilipinas grand coronation night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on April 17.