MISS Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach has been named “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Esquire Philippines in its August 2016 issue.
The announcement was made on Esquire’s social media accounts after posting a photo of the beauty queen on the cover last Monday.
In the caption, Esquire wrote: “Seven months after her coronation and more than halfway into her reign, Miss Universe comes home, strips down, and bares the heart beneath her confident beauty. She speaks to Esquire about pageantry, persistence, and practicing what she preaches.”
The photo was taken by Francisco Guerrero.
The “Sexiest Woman Alive” is an annual issue of the magazine honoring women in different fields of endeavor who are at their sexiest.
Pia will join the ranks of actresses Heart Evangelista and Solenn Heusaff, Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa and news anchor Karen Davila as the magazine’s “Sexiest Woman Alive” in the country.
The magazine’s release comes after actress Jessy Mendiola, who was hailed by FHM magazine as the Sexiest Woman in its 2016 list, came under fire for a remark she made, joking that she beat Pia in the FHM Philippines 100 Sexiest list.
Pia came to Jessy’s defense, saying she did not see anything wrong with Jessy’s comment.
“What I saw was a girl who was just really ecstatic to be given that recognition. Nothing wrong with that. Congratulations, Jessy!” Pia tweeted.
Jessy said that she’s grateful to Pia for defending her.
“I asked some of my friends na friends din niya to extend my gratitude. Ang sweet nga niya to tweet that. Kung siya nga nakita niya as a joke ‘yun, bakit parang other people won’t see that as a joke?” Jessy said.