Pia Wurtzbach bags 2024 TOYM award for humanitarian and social work
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach continues to embody her iconic phrase, "confidently beautiful with a heart," as she is honored with a 2024 The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award.
Pia was cited for her humanitarian service and social work during the awarding ceremony held on Sunday. Dec. 15 in Quezon City.
In case you didn't know, TOYM is an "esteemed national recognition that honors Filipinos who have made exceptional contributions to their respective fields and communities."
Aside from Pia, nine other Filipinos were recognized in their respective fields. These include Jenica Beatriz Dizon-Mountford (Humanitarian Service and Social Work), Kapuso Director Zig Dulay (Arts and Culture-TV/Film), Billie Crystal Dumaliang (Environmental Leadership and Community Development), and Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres (Forestry Agriculture and other Applied Sciences).
Venazir Martinez and Jose Gabriel Mejia for both Arts and Culture, Pia Ranada (Journalism and Mass Communications), Dennis Umali (Veterinary Medicine), and Brent Andrew Viray (Rural Medicine and Surgery) complete the list.
"These extraordinary individuals have demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovation, and service, embodying the spirit of excellence and dedication," TOYM said in a Facebook post.
It added, "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the TOYM awardees for their outstanding achievements and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact."
Pia and her advocacies
Beyond pageantry and fashion, Pia is actively involved in various charity work, advocating HIV/AIDS and mental health awareness.
Recently, she held an auction of her pageant memorabilia, including gowns, sashes, shoes, accessories, trophies, and notebooks, among others, during the Love Gala event to help raise funds for LoveYourself's new youth center in Taguig.
The center will not only focus on HIV/AIDS cases but will also serve as a "safe space" for sexual health, mental health, and self-empowerment according to the beauty queen.
While she has yet to set a specific timeline and budget for the project, Pia said the city government will also provide them guidance in maximizing their budget and finding the best location, among other things.
"I want to do it right. I'm not giving myself so much of a deadline na (for instance), dapat mapatayo ko na ito kasi 10th anniversary (ng Miss Universe victory ko)," she said a media event attended by PhilSTAR L!fe on Nov. 10
Pia, who has been working with LoveYourself for a decade, said that it's high time to put more conscious effort into addressing the HIV/AIDS problem in the country.
The 35-year-old beauty queen also noted that holding press conferences, writing posts, creating videos, conducting talks with communities, and even hosting a show to raise HIV/AIDS awareness don't cut it anymore.
"What else can I do? I'm trying to find ways to be a more effective advocate," she said. "Parang di na enough ang ginagawa kong raising awareness. Now it's time to change the strategy a little bit. I feel like I can do more."
'Right thing to do'
During the press conference, Pia also became emotional as she reflected on why it was important for her to fulfill the project.
"It feels the right thing to do," she said. "I always want to do the right thing."
She said she always returns to the moment she returned to the Philippines after winning Miss Universe 2015 when she felt the love from everybody. With that, Pia hasn't only become a beauty queen but also a public figure with much responsibility to her fellow Filipinos.
"This is the least I could do to people who supported me, even those who don't know me personally," she said.
Despite her busy schedule and future family plans, Pia vowed not to turn her back on her community.
"I just can't say no," she said. "Why not? Why wouldn't [I] do it? Siguro kaya nga ako inilagay dito, siguro kaya nangyari lahat 'yun sa 'kin... para malagay ako sa posisyon na magawa ko ang mga 'to."
