Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach traveled recently to Ecuador, her second trip to a South American country, to help in a relief effort and fund-raising campaign to build 6,000 homes for the victims of an earthquake. She was there upon the invitation of the Guayas Red Cross that named her an honorary volunteer.
Former Machala Mayor Carlos Falquez welcomed her to Guayaquil, the largest city in the former Spanish colony with more than 15 million people.
Pia met with the victims in Machala and Esmeralda, two of the worst hit provinces of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 600 and injured 4,600 people in Ecuador. She joined the representatives of Red Cross and other local and international relief organizations in the event “Casita De Mis Suenos” fundraiser for the benefit of Ecuadorean children. Pia spoke, helped distribute relief packs and appealed for continued support in the relief efforts for the earthquake victims with newly crowned Miss Ecuador 2016 Connie Jimenez.
“We still need your help as thousands are suffering. Emergency relief is always first priority but I hope we can continue efforts in rebuilding. I feel that this moment is very close to my heart because we in the Philippines have been in this situation and I know the impact of such calamity to the people. So if you could take some time to visit the Red Cross website to donate, a little will go a long way,” the reigning Miss Universe said.
The hard-working Miss Universe, who received an award at the Apicha Community Health Center’s “A Thousand and One Champions Gala” in New York for helping raise awareness on HIV/AIDS, also took part in a Solidarity Dinner for the benefit of the Los Niños de la Casita de Mis Sueños, and the following day, was warmly cheered by the Ecuadoreans that lined the streets to get a glimpse of the ‘most beautiful woman in the universe’ during the annual Machala Parade.
After Ecuador, Pia will visit the Cayman Islands this month to fulfill part of her year-long reign as Miss Universe, now half-way through.
She is set to meet with the contestants of the Miss Cayman 2016 pageant, a courtesy call to Pedro’s Castle, the Government Administration Building and Government House, attend the Philippines Independence Month concert with Bianca King, and join the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) in a talk with local organizers for the possible holding of the Miss Universe pageant in Cayman Islands. Miss Cayman Committee Chairwoman Dacres-Lee said they look forward to Pia and the MUO’s visit with high expectation for the global exposure it will give to the Cayman Islands.