Almost two years on from her surprise (and memorable) victory in the 2015 Miss Universe beauty pageant, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is pretty much secure and prominent in her celebrity. But that was never in doubt, with her educational background and prior experience in such diverse fields as acting, makeup and even journalism. Even her life story (with spotlight on her determination despite repeated pageant attempts) was already shown in “Maalaala Mo Kaya?” on ABS-CBN, where she first got her start. Is there any more way to honor Pia that has not been done yet? How about her own wax statue?
ABS-CBN News has it that Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Hong Kong will soon be unveiling a wax figure of Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015. That would also make hers the first statue of a Filipino featured in the museum’s collection. The beauty queen and ABS-CBN talent was expectedly quite surprised and pleased at the honor. “When I found out, I was so excited,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it! In my head, this is something that only happens to the big stars,” Pia has visited Madam Tussauds in the past so she know how much hype there is to her getting a wax figure.
To prepare for the manufacture of her statue, a team of artists from the main Madam Tussauds Wax Museum in London dropped in to begin the measurement process of her body’s dimensions. Also part of the preparations were the sampling of hair wigs to Pia’s own long locks, not to mention comparing painted eyeballs to her real ones, all to get the proper shade right. Tussauds Hong Kong general manager Jenny You expressed her anticipation at finally getting a wax figure for a famous Filipino in their museum, describing Pia as the perfect celebrity icon.
“It was really quite a process and it’s so high-tech!” the third Filipina Miss Universe winner remarked after her wax art sitting session. “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.” Pia Wurtzbach praised the high professionalism of the team, recalling how Tussauds had worked on a wax figure for Queen Elizabeth II before. Jenny You adds, “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.”
Madam Tussauds Wax Museum was begun by French artist Marie Tussaud in London on 1835. Since then there have been several wax museum buildings opened around the world, with the whole establishment operated by UK-based Merlin Entertainments, which also operates Lego’s LEGOLAND theme park resorts. Pia’s statue arrives in 2019.
Image courtesy of Rappler
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