MANILA — Pia Wurtzbach is hoping to reconnect with Bea Alonzo, her showbiz contemporary with whom she is admittedly no longer in touch, "if she's up for it."

Wurtzbach's relationship with Alonzo came up during a recent virtual roundtable, hosted by The Philippine Pageantry, that delved into her showbiz and pageant careers.

Wurtzbach, 30, and Alonzo, 32, once belonged to the same management, ABS-CBN's Star Magic, and even co-starred in the teen series "K2BU" in 2002.

Alonzo's acting career steadily rose, with successive lead roles on the small and big screens. Wurtzbach's career breakthrough, meanwhile, came much later in the world of pageantry, having brought pride to the country as Miss Universe 2015.

In recounting her career beginnings, Wurtzbach was asked whether she was ever jealous of Alonzo's early success.

"Noong sumasali na ako sa Binibini, hindi ko na naiisip 'yun kasi tanggap ko na, at saka matagal na rin naman 'yung panahon na lumipas. 'Yung focus ko, nasa ibang bagay na," she said.

"Merong parang impression 'yung mga tao that I was jealous, parang galit ako sa kaniya," she surmised, mentioning a 2017 "Maalaala Mo Kaya" episode that dramatized her life.

"Pero, hindi. Hindi. Honestly, ha. Ang tagal na rin, at wala na akong dahilan para mambola pa. Magaling talaga siya, e. Hindi ko kaya 'yun. Iyon 'yung galing niya."

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When Wurtzbach returned to the Philippines after her Miss Universe reign, she and Alonzo finally had a chance to reunite, given they both worked in ABS-CBN.

In 2018, however, their ties became the subject of speculation when Alonzo appeared to unfollow Wurtzbach on Instagram, around the same time the latter co-starred in a film with Gerald Anderson, Alonzo's then-boyfriend.

Rumors that Alonzo had reason to be jealous were never confirmed.

At the time, Wurtzbach was in a relationship with racer Marlon Stockinger. They separated more than a year later. Alonzo and Anderson, meanwhile, remained a couple until their controversial breakup in mid-2019.

Asked whether she remains in contact with Alonzo, Wurtzbach said: "Now, siyempre hindi ko na siya nakakausap. Naghiwalay na 'yung mga path ng buhay namin."

"I saw her at the Star Magic Ball very briefly, but I didn't get to come close and say hi to her," she said.

Wurtzbach was referring to the ABS-CBN Ball, which they both attended in 2018 and 2019.

"I would like say hi and speak with her and reconnect again, if she's up for it," she said.