Pia Wurtzbach first Filipina figure in Tussauds Hong Kong

By: Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach will join other famous celebrities who have wax models in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.

Wurtzbach is the first Filipino to get a wax figure at Madame Tussauds, a wax museum that first opened in London over 200 years ago.

The beauty queen announced on Instagram that her figure would be available for viewing starting next year.

“When I found out, I was so excited. I couldn’t believe it! In my head, this is something that only happens to big stars,” Wurtzbach said.

“I go to Madame Tussauds, so I know what it’s like and how fun it is there. And now, thinking that I’m going to be one of them, I’m very honored, I’m very grateful and I can’t wait to see it,” she said.


Wurtzbach recently went through the measurement process – also known as a “sitting” – for her wax figure, with a team from London.

“It was really quite a process and it’s so high tech! One second they were only taking a photo of my face then next thing I know, I see my face from different angles so instantly. It’s amazing,” she said.

Wurtzbach will be joining the likes of Taylor Swift, Jackie Chan and Choi Siwon.

Madame Tussauds HK described Wurtzbach as “a queen in every definition of the word.”

Wurtzbach’s wax figure will be joining those of the greatest from around the world throughout history in 2019, it said.

Madame Tussauds general manager Jenny You said Wurtzbach’s inclusion in the famous museum is their way of showing their appreciation to the Filipino community living and visiting Hong Kong.

“With Pia’s sweet, positive and fun personality, we really could not have imagined having anyone but her to represent the Philippines in this way and what better way to share this milestone but on her birthday?” You said in a statement.

Wurtzbach’s victory became controversial after host Steve Harvey initially announced the wrong winner of the Miss Universe 2015 pageant.

Madame Tussauds has opened museums in major cities all over the world. – Charmie Joy Pagulong

Standing by myself?

My column in Mindanao Daily and BusinessWeek Mindanao

While being a columnist of "Tinig ng Bayan" (published in Abra) during the 1980's, I even remember nowadays Taiwanese coordinator Cristina Lising-Geronga, who expressed herself in innumerable write ups about the topic loneliness. Sure, "Tinig ng Bayan" has been a publication or Filipinos abroad. Loneliness, borne by Filipinos living abroad while missing their families in the Philippines became a very "normal" expression.

During that time my late mentor Monsignor Professor Dr. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, Chaplain of the Philippine Community in Berlin, started together with me publishing "Ang Mabuhay". Believe me, "loneliness" became a main topic in many write-ups.

How comes that loneliness is still a general topic in so many families nowadays all over the globe? 

Loneliness has been called one of the main diseases of this and last century. It really doesn't strike not only the Filipinos abroad and their love ones back home. Too often loneliness is being followed by alcoholism, drug abuse and even suicide. Yes, loneliness becomes a modern day plague.  I observed several people trying to surround themselves with so-called "friends" only to find that such relationships are often shallow and unsatisfying.

Loneliness can be painful but being lonely or alone at that is not always a bad thing. Ask yourself, how do  you use your time, if you are really alone? Do you simply let the time pass without doing anything  at all? Why not use such time productively? There are many worthwhile activities to engage in, even if you are alone, such as reading, writing, listen to good (light) music, play an (forgotten?) instrument, gardening... .

Reading the bible can be also very particularly beneficial.  The Word of God is "alive and exerts power" and can take our minds off ourselves. 

To break the cycle of loneliness, one must be a giver. Let's keep an eye, not only and always on our personal interests but also on the interests others. Look around and watch out who needs help, or who needs a real friend or good listener. Once you have spotted such a person, act! Thus, in order to have friends, you must act like a friend. Luke 6:38 says, "Give to others, and God will give to you!" Besides, "There is more happiness (and less loneliness) in giving then receiving", says Acts 20:35.