Pia Wurtzbach to critics: I don’t have to post everything on social media

MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is not new to harsh criticism, having faced many bashers on social media. But on Monday, November 7, Pia posted a long message on Instagram for critics who accused her of not doing her duties as a HIV/AIDS advocate because she does not post incessantly about doing so online.

As the current titleholder, Pia participates in the HIV/AIDS awareness programs that the Miss Universe Organization supports.

“Just to get some things straight. I haven’t forgotten about my advocacy, okay? I’m so tired of people complaining that I haven’t found “the cure” for HIV when clearly I said I would raise awareness. I’m not magically gonna come up with a potion that cures everything,” Pia wrote.

She also said that while getting crowned before thousands of people, Pia asked if people really understood her answer to the final question in last year’s Miss Universe.

“I said I would raise awareness. Putting the spotlight on it so we can start talking about it. Just like the during the competition, I wasn’t posting my everyday pageant activities and that upset a lot of fans. They thought I wasn’t doing any effort.”

She also said that she does not have to post everything on social media to please people.

“I just really did not like posting anything online. Why? Because I didn’t feel like I needed to. Instagram isn’t part of the judges panel. Am I gonna carry my phone around with me and take every selfie, every photo I see to ease your worries?” Pia said.

She also said that she knows when to put her phone down and work.

“What I say in public is a promise. Why worry about updating everyone on social media and in the process losing the experience because you were on your phone the whole time staging photos.”

She then asked if any of her critics have already tested themselves for HIV/AIDS, adding that like everyone else, she continues to learn more about it.

“So before you go saying that I haven’t done anything, the mere fact that you’re talking about how little I am doing charity work for HIV/AIDS, isn’t that awareness in itself? You’re thinking about it, right? Talking about it, correct? Bashing me in the process BUT still getting the message out there,” she said.

 

Just to get some things straight. I haven’t forgotten about my advocacy, ok? I’m so tired of people complaining that I haven’t found “the cure” for HIV when clearly I said I would raise awareness. I’m not magically gonna come up with a potion that cures everything. I know the whole being chosen out of 79 from all over the world, getting crowned in a beautiful gown in front of billions of people is all good. But are you really getting the point of my message during the final Q&A? I said I would raise awareness. Putting the spotlight on it so we can start talking about it. Just like the during the competition, I wasn’t posting my everyday pageant activities and that upset a lot of fans. They thought I wasn’t doing any effort. I just really did not like posting anything online. Why? Cos I didn’t feel like I needed to. Instagram isn’t part of the judges panel. Am I gonna carry my phone around with me and take every selfie, every photo I see to ease your worries? No. I don’t work like that. I put my phone down and I work. And did it work? Yes. Sometimes the plans you carry have a bigger chance of reaching a larger magnitude if you’re just focused on the work. I’m good with letting people know about what I’m doing or what I plan to do. I’m a woman of my word. What I say in public is a promise. Why worry about updating everyone on social media and in the process losing the experience because you were on your phone the whole time staging photos. Now ask yourself. Did you get yourself tested? This year the numbers have gone at an all time high. But maybe that’s because more people are getting themselves tested making our statistics more accurate. I can’t work a miracle here. I still consider myself as a student and I’m learning more and more everyday. So before you go saying that I haven’t done anything, the mere fact that you’re talking about how little I am doing charity work for HIV/AIDS, isn’t that awareness in itself? You’re thinking about it, right? Talking about it, correct? Bashing me in the process BUT still getting the message out there. I don’t have to spell it out. Oh and here’s a bikini photo. Just so I get your attention.

 

As part of her work with Miss Universe, Pia visited the United Nations headquarters where she attend a forum called “High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS last June. She also did a public service announcement and had herself tested at the APICHA Health Community Center in New York, where she is one of center’s ambassadors.

Pia was recently in Las Vegas to support Manny Pacquiao in his match against Jessie Vargas. She is set to crown the next Miss Universe in Manila January 2017. – Rappler.com