Pia Wurtzbach’s year as Miss Universe

On this day, December 21, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach's dreams came true, with pageant fans everywhere erupting in ecstatic shrieking as she was confirmed the winner of the Miss Universe pageant.

To say that Wurtzbach had a whirlwind year is an understatement. She set up camp in New York to perform her duties as Miss Universe 2015. Fans followed her stint as an Inside Edition special reporter for the Super Bowl, cheered her on as she walked the New York Fashion Week runway, got curious about her love life, consumed all of the magazines on which she was on the cover, and cheered loudly again when she announced that she had worked on getting the Miss Universe Organization to stage its next competition in the Philippines. 

Through all of it, she has done her best to represent the country—as a Filipina, as well as a Mindanaon. Wurtzbach's year in a nutshell is filled with positive things. Check it out. (Click on the photos for the articles.)

Traveled everywhere from Latin America to the Middle East

This year, Wurtzbach inspired fellow beauty queens in Peru, built a house in Panama, and stayed fashionable in the deserts of Dubai. The beauty queen also traveled to Canada, Ecuador, London (because she still makes time for family), and Singapore (for a little R&R with her favorite Swiss, Marlon Stockinger.)

Wore Filipino couture proudly

She has never shied from declaring her pride in representing the country, so it's no surprise that Wurtzbach took every opportunity to promote its beauty—and that includes wearing Filipino designers everywhere. Wurtzbach rocked the works of Albert Andrada, Bessie Besana, Jot Losa, Cherry Veric, and Boom Sason.

Made good with her promise to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS testing

The crown did not save Wurtzbach from criticisms that she, uh, "did not cure AIDS"—but she never claimed to be a miracle worker. Instead, the beauty queen stayed true to her word and got tested in public to show that it's easy and nothing to be ashamed of (at all). The beauty queen spent the year educating herself about HIV/AIDS and added conviction to the voice she was using to call attention to it.

Stayed confidently beautiful with a heart for charity

Wurtzbach has had the privilege to work with different charities through the Miss Universe Organization like Smile Train and Cordaid. During the trip to promote Miss Universe 2016, the beauty queen was also able to help Caritas Manila raise funds.

Lifted fellow beauty queens and women in general

A fight with Jesse Mendiola? Bringing down women is just not Wurtzbach's style. Peak hate was reached when Mendiola said in giddy jest that she beat Miss Universe when she was declared FHM's Sexiest Woman. Understanding the context, Wurtzbach tweeted in support of Mendiola and carried on championing the beauty of other women. She openly declares her love for former roommate Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and happily supports fellow beauty queens like Maxine Medina and Kylie Verzosa.

She was a pro-bridesmaid at BFF Pauline Luna's wedding

Her schedule is packed with engagements, but that didn't stop Wurtzbach from being present on friend Pauline Luna's happiest day.

Found the perfect balance between crown and the woman who wears it

She's Miss Universe, but she's also Tita Pia to her niece Lara. Despite being busy with work, Wurtzbach keeps her family in mind and makes time when she can. Wurtzbach also made time for her dog Prada, video games (yes, she got bit by the Pokemon GO bug!), and, at one point, she even had a few minutes to spare for a helicopter ride. She received a bit of criticism for dating, which she responded to by acing her job as Miss Universe. No room for hate! — Images by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/BM/GMA News