Pia Wurtzbach is back in the Philippines and firmly ensconced in her Miss Universe duties, now that the drama over Steve Harvey’s announcement mistake during the Miss Universe Pageant is finally subsiding.
In addition to parades and a bevy of events to welcome her home, Pia Wurtzbach is honoring those who deserve accolades far more than any beauty queen. In recent days she visited V. Luna General Hospital in Quezon City, where she spent time with wounded soldiers on what the hospital calls its Heroes Ward 3A.
Miss Universe @PiaWurtzbach visits soldiers wounded from encounters at V. Luna Hospital.
#rstream photo: PAO AFP pic.twitter.com/HGG5n1F0pv
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) January 27, 2016
Pia Wurtzback also visited children while at the hospital, many of whom were patients of Smile Train–a medical organization that provides surgery for children born with cleft lips and palates.
Pia Wurtzbach looks forward to working with Smile Train https://t.co/3LVopNbqkP
— Manila Bulletin News (@manila_bulletin) January 23, 2016
Doctors and staff at the hospital noted their appreciation of Pia Wurtzbach’s visit by bestowing her with gifts. Miss Universe received a patch, a name plate, and a Philippine flag.
Contestants in the Miss Universe Pageant must have an advocacy to which they dedicate their time and notoriety. Pia Wurtzbach’s is HIV awareness. In the coming days she plans not only to visit patients with HIV/AIDS, but to get tested for the disease in her attempt to take away the stigma attached to getting tested. She will travel to the U.S. to be tested.
Talking about HIV is on top of @PiaWurtzbach’s list https://t.co/b2DAJo23Oj pic.twitter.com/Ch9aDK8tcN
— GMA News (@gmanews) January 27, 2016
“To take out the stigma, somebody has to step forward and do something so other people can follow suit. What we are planning to do is to have my HIV test in New York. It will be a public testing so I can show everybody how easy it is to do and how important it is, I hope it can help, even just a little,” Pia Wurtzbach explains.
The coming year will be a very busy one for Pia Wurtzbach as she assumes the many duties of Miss Universe. Kudos to her for visiting wounded soldiers and taking on issues that can benefit people from all around the world.