Pia Wurtzbach: The never-say-die beauty queen

Third time was the charm for Pia Wurtzbach. Binibining Pilipinas

It has been a long journey but Pia Wurtzbach finally reached her dreams when she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe in March.

It took Wurtzbach three attempts before winning a beauty title in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. Her first attempt was in 2013 where she finished first runner-up. She joined in 2014 once again but only made it to the top 15.

The third time was the charm for the 26-year-old stunner. Her never-say-die attitude finally paid off.

"If you want something, you don't give up on your first try. And don't give up on your second try. You might get it in your third try," she said during a send-off press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.

"Don't be afraid to make mistakes... Huwag kayong masyadong matakot magkamali," she added.

But not everyone was happy for her. Some criticized the beauty queen's guts for joining the pageant more than once.

"People are saying na trying hard daw ako. Yeah, I try hard talaga. I try very hard. I try very hard because this is what I want," she

"I went through a lot of pain to get here, a lot of criticisms. It's not easy," Wurtzbach added.

The beauty queen stressed that she can take all the hate but it was when the bashers attacked her family that she put her foot down.

"Huwag tayong mag-personalan, guys. Beauty pageant lang ito," she said.

While she has her fair share of critics, her fellow beauty queens have nothing but good words for her. 

Binibining Pilipinas-International 2015 Janicel Lubina was emotional when she gave a message to her "Ate".

"Alam ng lahat ng tao kung gaano po pinaghirapan kung anong meron ka ngayon. Kung paano mo pinakita sa mga tao na iyong kini-criticize sa'yo... you proved them wrong. Kaya mong umabot sa Miss Universe," she told Wurtzbach.

Binibining Pilipinas-Intecontinental Christi McGarry, who is also competing in December in Germany, also echoed the same sentiments.

"I understand her pressure especially because all eyes are on her. I am very proud of her. She does not know this so much but she is my inspiration. She has proved to everyone that she deserves the crown," she said.

Far from over

But the story is not over yet, as she is set to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant. 

Wurtzbach said she is ready for the Miss Universe pageant and wants nothing less than a crown.

Admittedly an over-thinker, the beauty queen is just letting things flow this time.

"Talagang siniseryoso ko talaga ito and I analyze everything and I do my homework... I'm just going to be myself kasi it's working. I just want not to force things. I want thing to flow naturally," she said.

Wurtzbach is aware of the pressure of carrying the hopes of the nation in the pageant, which will be held five days before Christmas.

"Doing my best is the least that I can do... I will not be there as Pia Wurtzbach anymore. I will be there as Miss Philippines. I'm just so excited to wear a sash that says Philippines," she exclaimed. 

"I know it's going to be worth it," she added. —JST, GMA News