The well-known and bankable Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach has been receiving bulk of criticism on Instagram after she posted a sympathy photo on ISIS-related attack in Barcelona, Spain on Thursday.
The Miss Universe 2015 was accused for prioritizing the tragic event that happened in Barcelona rather than showing her solicitude on her fellow countrymen in several provinces who were killed in the Marawi attack and drug raid operations.
Her followers commented that they didn’t like the way Wurtzbach encouraged people to pray for the disastrous incident in Barcelona and hoped that the beauty queen would also pray for her own country.
These are some of the comments raised by netizens.
@peepaubau: “Before you’re Miss Universe, you were Miss Philippines first. Before you become Miss Philippines, you’re a human first. How can you #PrayForBarcelona without praying for the innocent casualties of the PH was on drugs.”
@janidapmh: “Yes! Prayers for Barcelona and all human race but hope you can also make special prayers for your own people, your fellow mindanaon particularly the maranaos? 90 plus days under siege na po ang Marawi City. 500,000 people became homeless and most of them lost their jobs and livelihood.”
However, the HIV advocate also received positive comments from her supporters.
@huwana91: “Thank for the update Pia. Definitely, the world needs prayers.”
@venice80: Pray for World Peace Love and Respect why just pray before we criticize? Hindi naman sinabi ni P na hindi sya concern what happen to Philippines Let’s spread Love guys.
After an hour, the beauty queen edited her caption and hit back at her critics.
The caption read, “I’m at loss for words. Prayers and thoughts go out to family and friends of the victims of this terrible attack. Mag ingat po tayong lahat (Let’s all be safe) because this can happen to anyone, any part of the world. #PrayForBarcelona #NoMoreTerrorism PS please don’t think I’m unaware of the situation in the Philippines also. #PrayForThePhilippines #PrayForMarawi”
In her Instagram post last November 2015 during her reign as Miss Universe, netizens also commented on Pia’s alleged lack of commitment to her advocacy as Miss Universe. She immediately addressed all the criticism.
“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,” she said.