I felt calm when I was called first runner-up because I felt it was fate. But when they announced that I was Miss Universe, I had mixed emotions. I was happy because I really wanted to win but felt sad for Miss Colombia.

It's live television. People make mistakes and Steve Harvey was very gracious to apologize. I accept his apology and I think it speaks a lot about his character.

I'm very career-driven.

I think it would be a little bit difficult for two girls to share a crown.

For the last three years that I have tried, people are laughing at me and saying that I was trying too hard. And my answer is yeah, I really am trying hard.

I really lived and breathed Miss Universe.

I actually quite miss being called Philippines because in the pageant it's normal for us to be called our country instead of our names. If somebody goes, 'Philippines!' I turn my head and I know that's me. Now they go 'Pia' or 'Miss Universe.' Of course that's better. But I also miss that, being called my country.

I started modeling when I was 11 years old and acting when I was 12.

When I want something, I stop at nothing to get what I want, even if it takes a while.

I pay my taxes when I was with ABS-CBN as an actress; when I was with Binibini, so I'll continue on doing that as long as I'm earning money here, like everybody else.

I can't believe I'm gonna be immortalized in Madam Tussauds! Dream come true.

Nerves can happen to even the best of us. It's not easy to compete.

I think that the United States and the Philippines have always had a good relationship with each other. We were colonized by the Americans and we have their culture and our traditions even up to this day and I think that we're very welcoming with the Americans. And I don't see any problem with that at all.

If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines.

To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and responsibility.

Life doesn't end when you get married.

You can be the CEO of a big company and still be unhappy. You can also pass an exam and feel like you've hit the jackpot. Success all depends on how happy you are.

I'm so glad I never lost my drive because turns out, I was right! Now I'm finally wearing the Philippine sash in the most prestigious pageant in the world.

I wouldn't be the same Pia if I won Miss Philippines on my first try.

I wouldn't join Miss Universe if I thought somebody else deserved it more than I do.

I'm looking forward to just enjoying my reign as Miss Universe.

I might be the next Bond girl, who knows?

I didn't want any other crown when I joined Binibining Pilipinas.

If you have a goal, you have to understand that it's not going to be easy. It might take a while.

It would be good to star in a teleserye, why not.

If there are any offers, opportunities to work abroad in the U.S., then why not? I'll definitely try that out.

The relevance of beauty pageants in the Philippines is that it gives people hope.

But I'm the type of person who, whatever you throw at me, I can make something out of it.

I was a nervous flyer before, but now I've gotten used to it.

When I want something really badly, whether it's good or bad, I never stop until I get it. It's part of the way I was brought up.

There's such a huge diaspora of Filipino workers around the world and I want to help tell their story.

A lot of Filipinas are really into fashion, and there are so many noted Filipino designers around the world.

The future is a big place.

I've been stocking up on dry shampoo. We don't have dry shampoo in the Philippines yet. I notice that here in the U.S., there are a lot of volumizing products, like salt spray. In the Philippines, the humidity can make your hair a bit flat, so I'm wondering, how come we don't have this back home?

I wouldn't say there are alliances at the pageant, but I understand if you can't speak the language, you would want to hang out with someone who understands you.

You have to take into account the arc of your foot when you're buying heels.

I do not have any regrets about not having the opportunity to do my walk with the crown on stage.

The crown is always with me, so I keep it close.

I don't wear the sash to bed. But I make sure it is always clean. I have it in two colors, black and gray. And I make sure it goes with my outfit.

Because the cameras now are all HD they see everything! They see all the imperfections, so your makeup has to be perfect.

Some girls just don't know when to put the brush down, when to stop.

I have nothing against women who decide to have botox done.

Coming from a pageant title that celebrates diversity, I've come to appreciate all kinds of beauty.

I think what makes a woman naturally more beautiful is when she starts believing in herself and starts getting more confident because you can have the most expensive makeup, you can get a lot of services done, but if deep inside you're still not happy and confident, that's going to show.

If a woman is confident, she believes in herself and is really happy from the inside, you'll see that glow.

After I won Miss Universe, my managers started telling me I have to start putting on less makeup.

What I really like about Ultherapy is that it's really convenient. You only have to do it once a year for 45 minutes. That's really fast.

I like doing my own errands. I feel like they are very personal and it makes me feel like I achieved a lot that day.

Just because my reign had already ended doesn't mean that I have to forget the things I have done as Miss Universe.

I have a busy schedule and am constantly traveling so when I do have the time to grocery shop or prepare a meal, I make it a priority.