Pia Wurtzbach opened up about her struggles growing up in a poor family. In the online fundraiser of Kabataan sa Kartilya ng Katipunan (KKK), the Miss Universe 2015 shared how she overcame the hurdles that came her way since she was little.
Pia shared that the life of her family was really tough back then. She revealed that their house used to be flooded and that she used not to have allowance for school.
"Talagang napaka-humble ng living situation namin dati, kung alam niyo lang. Talagang ibang-iba. Tapos ang dami kong natutunan noong mga panahon na iyon. Sa maliit na school lang din ako nag-aral noon sa Pasig, tapos halos wala akong baon sa school. Minsan, nagdadala lang ako ng baon [kasi] hindi ako mabigyan ng pera ng Mama ko. Tapos binabaha din 'yung bahay namin, minsan hanggang dibdib, ganyan," she shared.
Pia added, "Noong kabataan ko, talagang palipat-lipat kami ng bahay kasi di namin ma-afford 'yung rent. So pamura nang pamura 'yung mga nililipatan namin tapos pataas nang pataas din 'yung tubig [ng baha]."
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Given their living conditions, Pia pushed herself to excel in school and to focus on her education.
"Bigla ko nang sineryoso kaagad 'yung buhay ko at 'yung mga bagay, at hindi ko na tinake for granted lalong-lalo na 'yung pag-aaral ko noong naghiwalay 'yung mga magulang ko. Lalo na noong ako na 'yung nagbabayad ng sarili kong tuition," she stated.
Pia wants to inspire the youth with her story to persevere, value education, and never give up.
"Kung anong sitwasyon ka man ngayon at nafi-feel mo na ang dami mong responsibilidad at feeling mo stuck ka sa isang lugar na hindi mo gusto, o ayaw mo kung saan ka nag-aaral, huwag mong i-hate 'yan kasi part 'yan ng process mo. Part 'yan ng growth mo. At kung pagbubutihan mo, mag-aaral ka nang mabuti at magiging masipag ka at kung 'di ka bibitaw sa mga pangarap mo, mararating mo rin 'yung mga gusto mong marating," she stated.