Pia Wurtzbach reminisces how her family celebrates Christmas before

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. (Photo: Pia Wurtzbach Official/Facebook)

Looking back in the past, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach shared that there once was a time in her life where she and her family would welcome Christmas just like any usual day — not even a piece of luxury was placed on the table.

Early December, other families would go Christmas shopping as preparation for the most-awaited time of the year. But unlike them, Pia said there were instances where her family could not even afford to fill their table with foods for Christmas since there were not well off.

“Noong naghiwalay ‘yung parents ko tapos ako na ‘yung breadwinner ng family, parang hindi na namin kino-consider as a holiday talaga ‘yung Pasko kasi tight talaga ‘yung budget (When my parents got separated, I was the family’s breadwinner. We don’t consider Christmas as a holiday since we have very tight budget),” Pia was quoted as saying in an ABS-CBN report.

“Parang normal na araw lang ‘yung Christmas sa amin dati. Meron akong memory na naririnig ko nagsasaya ‘yung mga tao sa labas tapos wala kaming handa at nasa bed lang ako (Christmas was like a normal day to us. I have a memory of hearing my neighbors having their parties outside, unlike us who don’t have anything on the table and I was just in bed),” she narrated.

Pia also shared how she celebrated her Christmas in New York alone after she bagged the Miss Universe crown in 2015.

“Noong Christmas na nanalo ako, December 21 ‘yun, nilipad nila ako agad sa New York. Siyempre ‘yung staff ng Miss Universe, nagbakasyon. So mag-isa lang ako sa Miss Universe apartment ng Christmas at New Year. Wala talaga akong kasama (During the time when I won Miss Universe, it was December 21, they flew me to New York. Of course, the staff of Miss Universe went out for vacation. So, I was alone in the Miss Universe apartment during Christmas and New Year. I don’t really have anyone beside me),” she said.

After that year, she got the luxury to pay her family a visit in London. She plans to do the same thing this year.

“Siyempre manonood muna ako ng ‘The Revenger Squad.’ Kapag napanood ko na with my friends and some of my family here in Manila, lilipad na ako ng London para makita ang aking mommy (Of course, I will watch ‘The Revenger Squad’ first. After I’m done watching it with my friends and some of my family here in Manila, I will book a flight to London to visit my mom),” Pia said.

It has been two years since she brought the third crown of Miss Universe in the Philippines, she was then asked what is the biggest change that happened in her life.

“Siguro ‘yung adjustment sa bagong life. Finally, nakakapag-ipon na ako. Iniisip ko na ngayon ‘yung future ko na (Maybe the adjustment to my new life. Finally, I was able to save. I’m now thinking of my future),”the former Miss Universe said.

“I can start building for my own. I am very thankful for that. It was years and years po talaga, since I was 11, of helping people. Now I realize that it’s time for me to also help myself,” Pia ended.