WHAT preceded host Steve Harvey’s infamous gaffe over the declaration of the Miss Universe 2015 winner was the Question and Answer portion, where he asked each of the top 3 candidates the same question: “Why should you be the next Miss Universe?”
The Philippines’s Pia Wurtzbach answered with a declaration of three goals. The first two were to use her voice to influence the youth, and to help on certain causes, particularly raising HIV awareness.
She has since made good progress on both, being named as UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador to the region, which, in turn, helps fulfill her third objective: To show the universe that she is confidently beautiful with a heart.
Pia’s display of “inner beauty”, according to Philip Stein brand cofounder and President Will Stein, runs parallel with the company’s core offering.
“Our product is not only about the outer beauty; it’s also about the soul,” Stein said at the sidelines of Pia’s announcement as the newest endorser of the luxury watch brand.
Philip Stein watches (www.philipstein.com) prides itself on an iconic H-shaped dual time-zone design on the outside, and Natural Frequency Technology (NFT) feature within. NFT comes from decades’ worth of studies on how natural electromagnetic waves surrounding, the planet improve people’s health, performance and overall well-being. Each Philip Stein piece is installed with metal discs to optimize these beneficial frequencies for the wearer.
The technology also allows for what Stein calls a “well-being companion”. He said he and his wife (Philip Stein cofounder Rina) enjoy an active lifestyle, leading them to the idea of having the first well-being accessory encased in an appealing watch. “It’s important that it’s a beautiful watch, because we wanted people to wear it all the time.”
For her part, Pia got her first Philip Stein piece when she was 18. On the day of her launch as the brand’s newest endorser, she posted on Instagram throwback photos of her first watch, and how she keeps possession of it to this day.
Among the things that drew Pia to the brand was its H-shaped dual time-zone design, which conveniently keeps her in touch with her family based in London. She says, “I have always put
family first. [When] I check the time with my Philip Stein, I know that they are awake so I can video call and chat with them.”
Even though her Miss Universe reign has ended, Pia remains committed to a variety of obligations, shuffling between Manila and New York.
She has also engaged with a new set of activities that include writing a book and studying in New York Film Academy.
Concurrent with Philip Stein’s introduction of Pia as its newest face is the opening of the brand’s latest store in Solaire Resort & Casino, with a floor size of 83 square meters. It is the brand’s 19th boutique in the country, with 62 points of sales across Manila, Cebu and Davao.
Will Stein said their company has built a “very substantial” brand in the Philippines, pointing to the Filipinos’ positive reception of their NFT technology and dual time-zone design.