21 January 2016 – A few weeks after her Miss Universe 2015 coronation, Ms Pia Alozo Wurtzbach paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Consulate General in New York last January 13.

Philippine Consul General and Mrs. Mario De Leon welcomed Ms. Wurtzbach in the Boardroom and engaged her in a discussion on her advocacies, namely HIV awareness, disaster relief and the fight against cyberbullying. Consul General De Leon opened the possibility of teaming up with the Consulate General to help her advance her causes and in raising the profile of the Filipinos in the US Northeast and the whole US. The Consul General also facilitated meetings with some targeted organizations relevant to her advocacies.

In line with her HIV awareness campaign, Ms. Wurtzbach, accompanied by Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, met with UNAIDS-NY, who gave her vital information on the state of HIV-AIDS globally and gave inputs on projects that she can collaborate with. She as well sat down with the President of APICHA Community Health Center, an organization providing medical and health assistance for underserved and vulnerable people, especially Asians and Pacific Islanders, the LGBT Community and individuals living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Ms. Wurtzbach also met with the leaders of Friends Indeed, a Filipino community charity organization that sends medical, humanitarian and relief missions to the Philippines especially in times of disasters, such as after typhoon Sendong in Cagayan De Oro.

As a way to help elevate the presence of Filipinos in mainstream American society, Ms. Wurtzbach also met with the Executive Board of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc., in talks to arrange her participation at the Philippine Independence Parade in June. PIDCI offered her a float at the Parade which she can use to project her advocacies and even speak before the audience.

A short press conference was held afterwards, with members of the Filipino-American media.

As it was the first time Ms. Wurtzbach met with the Filipino community after being crowned Ms. Universe, she graced the meet-and-greet and had a photo opportunity with our kababayans at Kalayaan Hall, with about 180 community members in attendance. END