Pia Wurtzbach draws flak for vacation photos amid Manila storms, floods
By Ian Ureta
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach drew criticism from a netizen after vacation photos of her and husband Jeremy Jauncey surfaced online while parts of Metro Manila were dealing with severe flooding.
The photos, shared by Jauncey, showed the couple enjoying a tropical getaway in Madagascar.
One netizen questioned the timing of the posts, saying Pia should have been more sensitive to Filipinos dealing with the effects of the storms and flooding.
“Manila is literally flooding right now. Konting pakiramdam naman. Your vacation dump can wait a day,” the netizen wrote, while also questioning whether Pia’s advocacy work was merely “a performance.”
The criticism caught the attention of popular online personality Miss Everything, who came to Pia’s defense while arguing that public attention should instead focus on government officials and the country’s long-standing flood-control issues.
“I understand that my twin Pia should be understandability of the super flood 3rd week anniversary, but it is the CONGRESSMEN FLOOD CONTROL FESTIVAL we MUST CALL OUT more!!!” Miss Everything wrote in her trademark humorous style.
She followed it with another pointed remark: “Hello, congressmen? Can you suitcase the flood?”
Miss Everything’s response shifted the conversation toward accountability over the Philippines’ continuing flooding problems, particularly the responsibility of government officials to address them.
Pia has previously used her public platform to support various causes. The criticism levied towards her by netizens centered on whether public figures should adjust or delay personal vacation posts while Filipinos are experiencing a calamity.