Pia Wurtzbach On Entering A Bolder Era For Herself

Nothing prepares you for the moment you come face-to-face with a goddess–with her piercing brown eyes, flowing hair, statuesque form, and magnetic aura–she flashes a dazzling smile in your direction, and you instantly melt into a puddle of awe. She gracefully takes a seat across from you, delicately crosses her ankles, and places her hands together in her lap as she patiently waits for her cue–the posture of a true queen. And what’s amazing, is how she does all these effortlessly–she doesn’t even have to try.

This divine beauty sitting in front of me is none other than beauty queen, businesswoman, and goodwill ambassador Pia Wurtzbach (now Mrs. Jauncey), the Philippines' Queen P, and our very own Ms. Universe 2015. Her coronation may have been eight years ago, but nothing has changed-she exudes that same magnificence and authenticity we all witnessed at the pageant, yet radiates a brand new and all-too-familiar glow, that of a newlywed woman.

In this edition of Pia Wurtzbach for Preview.ph August 2023, we unearth how Pia manages to stay true to herself; whether it's facing her new marriage head-on or continuously reinventing herself-imbibing a strong refusal to fade out or be stagnant amid waves of change. Fearless and unflinching, she sets herself up for a future that only gets better with every step forward.

Embracing Change As Mrs. Jauncey

Pia lets out a tiny giggle as I address her by her married name. I ask her what it's like being a married woman since marriage is a bold new chapter that brings about a significant shift. Apparently, tying the knot hasn't drastically changed her: "The thing is, I know that it's change but I don't think I'm a different person, or that I've changed because of marriage. I'm a better version of myself if anything, but I don't think the old me is gone." It's a beautifully honest and self-aware answer like this that only proves how Pia's authenticity to herself is very much intact. Her perspective gains, even more, credence when she reveals her motto: "Always to accept and adjust, like I take things as it happens, and then I keep myself flexible as I go along."

In true Darwinian fashion, Pia exemplifies the scientist's theory in which those who learn to adapt amid changing times are those who achieve success in the end-which goes to show that this is only the beginning of a wonderful journey for Mrs. Jauncy.

Fighting The Fade

It’s true that things have changed for Pia, but she remains steadfast and determined to power through and shine in the work she does, whether through advocacy or personal endeavors.

Pia shared that when she was starting out her career in pageants, she was told that beauty queens have a “life span of three years, and after three years your star slowly starts to fade, then you end up doing odd jobs here and there.” Someone as headstrong and unyielding as Pia believes fading away isn’t in her vocabulary.”And [then] I just thought to myself, I’m not gonna stop. I feel like things will only stop for me when I decide to stop, it won’t decide for me.”

She has gone above and beyond the so-called three-year limit, and with everything she has achieved since her Ms. Universe days-from venturing into business and podcasting, getting back into acting, guesting on Asia's Next Top Model as a judge, to being appointed the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific (and now about to release her first book!)-she has proven that it's possible to fight the fade despite hostile expectations.

How is she able to do all these without her star flickering and losing its vibrant glow? She's meticulous with the work she puts out, carefully chooses the people she builds relationships with, and is deliberate with the brands she partners with, making sure that their respective agendas holistically reinforce her own belief systems. "I'm still here, still doing the work that I love to do. I'm with organizations that I'm truly, truly passionate about, I've built [a] family within them, and I work with amazing brands such as Cream Silk and Unilever for eight years now and that's because I think I've always been authentic with myself," she expressed. In her exercise for creativity and authenticity, Pia initially mentioned her desire to be a redhead, citing that it's known to be a difficult color to maintain. But she trusts that a hair care brand like Cream Silk and its improved Cream Silk Ultimate Color Revive can help maintain and care for this fiery shade.

Another aspect of Pia's life to which she dedicates the same level of attention and care is her hair. Most of the time, we tend to underestimate the transformational weight of hair, when what it symbolizes is clearly an intentional, often purposeful, way of trying something new. Changing your hair whether by haircut or a new color is a volitional act of self-expression-a bold power move that you play to align with your personal identity and current cultural status.

Pia couldn't have said it better: "You know that women love to change their hair color especially when they're transitioning into a new chapter in their lives. It's a form of self-expression kasi so when you change your hair, it's almost as if you're making a statement. It's almost as if you're showing the world, the universe rather, that look at me, it's still me, just a different version of me."

And boy has Pia shown the universe numerous versions-from long and straight/wavy, short and curly, pixie cut, bangs, and blonde, to a gorgeous balayage ombré look-she embodies Cream Silk's bold and explorative nature. And with all the chemical styling, it's essential that she is armed with the right haircare tools to not only maintain healthy hair but also keep her hair color vivid and in tip-top shape for a longer period of time. "I really love that Cream Silk came up with this new line for bleached and colored hair because almost all of us really like to experiment with our hair color, so now that we have this line from Cream Silk that targets specifically that," she points out.

Undoubtedly, Pia Jauncey remains scintillating as ever from the moment she wore the crown on the Ms. Universe stage in her iconic blue gown. Real beauty-the type that is found within and emitted through grace and aesthetic appeal-is everlasting. Pair that with the courage to forge onwards and upwards into a bold new era, and you'll be unstoppable. The future is indeed bright for Pia as she looks forward to living her life in full color.

Shop Cream Silk Color Triple Keratin Rescue Protect Series with NEW Ultimate Bleach Enhance and the IMPROVED Ultimate Color Revive at Cream Silk’s Official Lazada and Shopee stores, Watsons and select leading stores nationwide. For more details about Cream Silk, visit All Things Hair at https://www.allthingshair.com/ or BeautyHub.PH at https://www.beautyhub.ph/

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Photographer: Dookie Ducay (@dookieducay)
Production Manager: Cha Cabayao (@chathenapper)
Art Director: Mark Buenaobra (@markbuenaobra) with Bea Malonzo (@biyaaa)
AADs: Angelica Del Mundo (@delmundoodle) and Joshua Baldomero (@joshuabaldo)
Product photography: Alan Segui (@alansegui)
Content Producer: Chelsey Brazal (@nadinebrazal)
Words: Rebecca Silvestre (@mariarebeccs27)
Video: Madz Barrido (@direkmadz) and Jino Del Mundo (@jinooftheworld)
Hairstylist: Jeck Aguilar (@aguilarjeck)
Makeup Artists: Justin Soriano (@justinlouisesoriano)
Stylists: Perry Tabora (@perrytabora)
Wardrobe: Black gown - Job Dacon (@jobdacon), Red gown - Rajo Laurel (@rajolaurel)
Final Art: PJ Calinsangan (@pjcali12_retouch)
Set Design: Justine Arcega (@justine_arcegabumanlag)

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