Pia Wurtzbach slips into iconic blue Miss Universe gown anew for a cause

Pia Wurtzbach slips anew into the iconic blue Albert Andrada gown she wore when she was crowned Miss Universe. Image: Facebook/Pia Wurtzbach

Following through on the fight for HIV/AIDS awareness that she has championed since being crowned 2015 Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey is raising funds for the cause by auctioning off items from her pageant journey, including her winning gown.

“This blue [Albert Andranda] piece is extra special—it’s the only replica of my winning gown! Tailored to perfection for whoever takes it home in the auction,” she posted on social media, together with an image of her in the now-iconic garb, after the fifth “Love Gala” dubbed “Eternal Elegance: A Night of Timeless Love” in Taguig City on Dec. 3, where the items up for grabs were displayed.

“Each year, the Love Gala brings together advocates, change-makers, and supporters from all walks of life to amplify the conversation around HIV awareness, education, and prevention. The event highlights the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS while raising crucial funds to continue this life-saving work,” the auction’s official portal stated.

The event is mounted by the nonprofit HIV/AIDS awareness organization LoveYourself Inc., which Wurtzbach has been supporting even before winning the Miss Universe title. The first of December marks “World AIDS Day.”

Among the items that the beauty queen, and now global fashion influencer, is auctioning off are her pageant gowns, dresses, sashes, shoes and even her pageant journal.

Proceeds of the auction will be used for the construction of a youth center in Taguig City that will serve as “a safe space created by youth, for youth, offering essential services and community support,” the Love Gala portal said.

In a post she made earlier, Wurtzbach shared alarming statistics about the HIV/AIDS situation in the country:

* 55 Filipinos diagnosed with HIV every day
* 29,000 new cases reported in 2023
* 190,000 Filipinos currently living with HIV
* Only 70,915 on life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

“When someone with HIV is on effective treatment and their viral load becomes undetectable, they CANNOT pass on the virus to others,” Wurtzbach said while calling for early testing and treatment.

“Education is the first step to ending the stigma. Testing saves lives. Treatment changes everything. Let’s work together to spread love, not fear. [red heart emoji],” she added.

The starting bid for the blue Andrada gown was pegged at P1 million. Also included in the auction are iconic gowns made by Dubai-based international Filipino designer Michael Cinco paraded by global celebrities on the red carpet of various high-profile events.