MANILA - For Filipina beauty queen Pia Wurtzbach, love will have to take a back seat for a while as she focuses on her duties as the reigning Miss Universe and her advocacy of raising awareness on HIV.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo on Tuesday, the 26-year-old Wurtzbach was asked to address reports that she is dating the "Sexiest Doctor Alive" Mikhail Varshavski.

"As I said before, Miss Universe is still my priority. I've been working to get this title for a very long time and I love my job, I really do, and it's going to stay that way for a long time," she said.

Wurtzbach added that Varshavski, who was featured in People magazine's 2015 "Sexiest Man Alive" issue, understands her situation.

"He's been very respectful in knowing that my priority is Miss Universe and I appreciate that very much. He knows that this is my life right now," she explained.

Last March 18, Varshavski confessed that he is indeed going out with Wurtzbach following weeks of speculations born out of their exchanges on Snapchat and Twitter.

"I am dating Pia. It's a fairly new relationship but I'm really excited to see where it can go!" he was quoted to have said.

(RELATED STORY: Pia Wurtzbach confirms she is dating)

A photo posted by Dr. Mike (@doctor.mike) on Feb 15, 2016 at 10:45am PST

Meanwhile, Wurtzbach, who won the crown back in December, said that she has been loving every step of her Miss Universe journey so far.

Among the highlights, according to her, was her stint as a correspondent at the sidelines of the Super Bowl 50 and her appearance at the 2015 New York Fashion Week.

"Kasi alam ko na one year lang siya so I try to cherish it as much as I can. Marami talaga [akong memorable moments] especially 'pag nakakauwi ako at nakakausap ko ang mga Filipinos and I see the kind of impact I have," she said.