Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is cast in ABS-CBN’s upcoming sweetcom My Papa Pi opposite Piolo Pascual who plays the title role.
Asked how it felt to be the actor’s leading lady, Pia said, "I'm very very grateful that I am here. Sa dami ng mga puwedeng piliing mga leading lady, ako talaga."
She added, “Nag-yes ako right away, as in yung araw na iyon nung tinanong sa akin. May inusod na ako na work, minove ko ng ibang araw.
"Nag-make way na ako para magawa ko siya, kasi, parang, kailan pa mangyayari ‘to na mapipili ka to work with them?"
The sitcom marks the first lead role of the 32-year-old beauty queen on the small screen.
At the show's virtual media conference last February 12, 2022, Pia recalled her start in showbiz.
"The last time I did TV was like bago pa ko mag Binibini bago pa ko mag-pageant, yung last role ko jellyfish sa Aryana."
Aryana was a fantasy drama series led by Ella Cruz, Desiree del Valle, Dominic Roque, and Michelle Vito that aired from 2012 to 2013.
Pia joined Binibining Pilipinas—which previously holds the franchise for Miss Universe Philippines—in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
After Pia won Miss Universe in 2015, she landed her major break in showbiz as the love interest of Gerald Anderson in the 2018 movie My Perfect You.
The film was directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, who is also at the helm of My Papa Pi.
PIOLO says PIA A "REVELATION IN THE SHOW"
Both Pia and Piolo are excited to be working together again after 17 years.
In 2005, Pia appeared in the ABS-CBN sitcom Bora that starred Piolo, Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, and Bernard Palanca.
During the mediacon, Piolo's admiration of his leading lady was obvious.
He said, "She's a revelation in this show. We were worried kasi nung pagpasok niya nakapag one day na kami pero she went straight into the character."
Piolo further enthused, "Napapapalakpak pa kami sa kanya minsan kasi Miss Universe siya pero sobrang game niya.”
He cited an incident when Pia scraped her knees on the set, which she just brushed aside.
“May sugat siya, so kumbaga she let her hair down, ibinigay nya dito. Napakasarap kaeksena."
Their co-star Pepe Herrera also expressed, "Sobrang game siya!"
My Papa Pi will air every Saturday, 7 PM starting March 5 on ABS-CBN’s new broadcast platforms: Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online, A2Z, iWantTFC, and TFC.
