Pia Wurtzbach is now an author! Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN

Well-loved beauty queen Pia Wurtzbach added another feather to her cap, or perhaps crown, as she recently launched her first book Queen of the Universe at the Manila International Book Fair held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The launch, which doubled as a meet and greet for fans, was also supported by Fully Booked. The novel is drawn from the Miss Universe 2015’s real-life experiences as a beauty queen and beyond, set against the rich backdrop of Manila's glittering urban life.

It centers on a fictional character named Cleo who has to face unexpected twists and turns and endure challenges to her identity and integrity amidst the dizzying world of beauty pageants. “Cleo is loosely based on my life story but as you go through the chapters you will see that she goes through her journey so it’s not me. Medyo magkaiba kami ng path na pupuntahan. I’ll leave that up to you guys to discover when you read the book,” Pia said.

The newly-minted author got emotional at the launch as she recounted the journey to this book. Much like the road to achieving her success as Miss Universe and as a model and actress, realizing her longtime dream of launching her book came at God’s perfect time.

The beauty queen author confided during the event that she had finished the book before the pandemic. Pia was given a choice to launch the book amid the pandemic and promote it online but because she had a vision of wanting to experience this live event with fans and supporters in attendance, she decided to put it on hold.

“Sa mga hindi nakakaalam, matagal na kasing ready ito bago pa mag-pandemic. Nasaktuhan na nangyari iyong COVID and we have to make a decision. Ang gut feeling ko talaga was to put this on hold muna although excited ako na parang nararamdaman ko na. Ito kasi iyong na-e-envision ko—iyong face to face, makikita ninyo ako, may meet and greet, may book signing at nakikita ko reactions ng mga tao at nahahawakan iyong libro. Sa akin, it has to be a life experience. Mabibitin ako at sayang iyong hard work na hindi namin siya mapro-promote nang maigi. So sabi ko maghintay muna tayo. Iyong paghihintay naging two to three years pero naging blessing in disguise,” Pia narrated, visibly emotional and happy with the outcome despite the long wait.

It was in the middle of this long wait that international publisher Tuttle Publishing entered the picture and expressed interest in Pia’s book and set it for international release.

“May mga binago kami. Mas pinaganda pa, in-improve lahat at dinagdagan ng mga Filipino elements so mapapansin ninyo kapag binasa ninyo, may mame-mention doon na mga traditions ng Pinoy,” she excitedly shared.“Maganda talaga na naghintay kami kasi meron pa palang i-i-improve. Iba ang itsura and title niya dati so meant to be talaga na maghintay at maging patient lang dahil may igaganda pa talaga siya and now we’re here,” Pia smiled.

The book launch was held so close to Pia’s actual birthday (September 24), so this felt like a special birthday gift to her.

Asked what she wanted to impart through her book, Pia wisely shared this statement. “I was very particular with how I wanted the story to end. Ayoko na isipin ng mga magbabasa na the only way to be successful is kapag isa kang Miss Universe. Ang gusto kong lesson dito is you wear your own crown and you determine what kind of queen you are. Kaya rin ‘Queen of the Universe,’ you are the queen of your own universe. Kahit hindi ka man beauty queen, siguro entrepreneur ka or you’re in the medical field or baka educator ka o baka estudyante o homemaker ka, it doesn’t matter what hat you wear or crown you wear, it’s still your universe and you are the queen,” the beauty queen-turned-international book author pensively stated, hoping to inspire the readers.

Pia’s Queen of the Universe is one of a handful of books by a Filipino author to launch internationally. Aside from the Philippines, the book is now in Singapore and will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, UAE, and the UK later this year. Its e-book version will be available worldwide starting November 7.

Queen of the Universe is published by Tuttle Publishing, one of the oldest American publishers in operation and the world’s largest publisher of books about Asia. Not only is this considered the first international book by a Filipina beauty queen, but it also marks ABS-CBN Books’ first international deal. For this project, Pia is represented by her literary agent ABS-CBN Books, best known as the publisher of titles from bestselling authors such as Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Charo Santos-Concio, Vice Ganda, Alex Gonzaga, and Binibining Mia.

Grab a copy of the Queen of the Universe at the National Bookstore and Fully Booked branches in the Philippines and at Kinokuniya and Times Bookstores in Singapore. US-based readers may already pre-order a copy on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN