A Binibini Moment

• 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj, from Bato, Camarines Sur, is 21 (July 7, Leo), half-Filipina/half-Indian, Roman Catholic, one of four sisters, a cum laude Bachelor in Communications (major in Journalism) graduate from Bicol University as a scholar of Francis Padua-Papica Foundation. Previous titles: Miss Bato second runner-up, Miss Rinconada (a district of Camarines Sur), Miss Camarines Sur, Miss Bicolandia and Miss Eco-Tourism in the 2008 Miss Philippines-Earth contest. No boyfriend. Ideal man: “Maski hindi super-guwapo as long as he’s serious in courting me.”

• 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-World Czarina Catherine Gatbonton, from Malolos, Bulacan, is 19 (Nov. 23, Scorpio), Roman Catholic, has a younger brother, a BS Hotel & Restaurant Management student at Bulacan State University. Previous titles: 2006 Miss Intramurals, 2009 Bb. Malolos and Bb. Bulacan finalist, No boyfriend. Ideal man: “Kahit ano basta mabait, love ako at higit sa lahat, takot sa Diyos.”

• 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-International Krista Mae Kleiner (screen name: Krissa Mae Arrieta), orginally from Orange County (California) but represented Quezon City in the pageant, is 20 (June 12, Gemini), Christian Catholic, has a younger brother, on leave from Psychology studies at a college in San Diego (California). Previous titles: Miss Young Philippines, Queen of Tourism and Miss USA-Philippines Expo.

Will Venus be the third Filipina to win Miss Universe (after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973)?

Will Czarina be the first Filipina to win Miss World?

Will Krista be the fifth Filipina to win Miss International (after Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979 and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005)?

A few days after they were crowned at glittering ceremonies at the Araneta Coliseum last March 6, Conversations tried to pick the three Binibinis’ brains by asking them 13 of the “decisive” questions popped to Misses Universe and World before they bagged the coveted crowns. (Thanks to Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib; other “beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas; and “beauty-watcher” Gerry Diaz for helping compile the questions.)

This is your Binibini Moment.

1. What period in history would you prefer to live if you had a choice? (To 2004 Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins of Australia)

Venus: I would still choose this era because I feel that it’s where I really fit in.

Czarina: Still the present time. It’s modern na and lahat kaya nang gawin in a snap because of advances in technology.

Krista: The Renaissance because that was the time when so many ideas and so many developments were coming up. People were becoming so artistic and being an artist, I would love to be a part of this development.

2. If the man on the moon landed in your backyard, how would you entertain him? (To 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz of the Philippines)

Venus: I would show him our home, the people around us, and I’m sure he would appreciate that after having been on the moon for a long time.

Czarina: I would welcome him and introduce him to everybody around.

Krista: I would first ask him if he’s a homebody or if he enjoys going out. If he’s a homebody, I’d have my family prepare a good meal for him, play good music or tune in to a good TV show. If he loves going out, I would take him to the happiest spots around town and invite all my friends, and I’d make sure that he’d have a very good time.

3. What is the essence of being a woman? (To 1994 Miss Universe Sushmita Sen of India)

Venus: It’s not just having a child and taking care of it but living your purpose on this earth. If a woman does that, she would live her life to the fullest.

Czarina: Being a mother and being yourself.

Krista: Having this beautiful gift from God and being able to create the next generation. Being understanding and nurturing, showing men what loving and caring and sharing are all about.

4. What makes you blush? (To 2002 Miss Universe Oxana Fedorova of Russia who was dethroned and replaced by first runner-up Justine Lissette Pasek of Panama)

Venus: The feeling of being so happy, seeing your family and the people around you happy...that feeling makes me blush.

Czarina: When I see my crush. (Note: Pssst! Secret. It’s Alfred Vargas!)  

Krista: When I’m complimented and when people that I care about praise me. Lately, when people call me Miss International.

5. If you were a judge instead of a finalist, what are the most important qualities that you would look for in choosing Miss Universe? (To 1975 Miss Universe Anne Marie Pohtamo of Finland)

Venus: I would look for someone who is sincere in doing not only onstage during the pageant but in everything that she does because it really shows if you are just pretending or not.

Czarina: Someone who is poised and has a good attitude inside the pageant and out of it.

Krista: Someone who is positive, determined and hard-working, who has a strong personality and is independent so that inspite of what other people may say she would remain who she is and not let it hinder her in achieving what she wants.

6. What would you tell someone who asks you why you want to be Miss Universe? (To 1980 Miss Universe Shawn Nichols Weatherly of USA)

Venus: If somebody asks any of us why she wants to be Miss Universe, Miss International or Miss World, she’ll probably say, “Because it’s my dream!” Being Bb. Pilipinas-Universe brings me nearer to achieving my dream.

Czarina: Because being a world beauty queen is my childhood dream. And to prove na kaya ko i-represent ang Pilipinas sa buong mundo.

Krista: I want to represent the country the best way I can. And also, I always have the passion for helping people that’s why I majored in Psychology. Also, I like looking good. Being a fashionista and a beauty queen is a perfect way of combining a desire to help people.

7. What do you think men could learn from women? (To 1996 Miss Universe Alicia Machado of Venezuela)

Venus: A lot of things and the most important is that men can learn from women to be sensitive and passionate.

Czarina: I agree with Venus. Men can learn to be sensitive and passionate from women. At sana, ‘yung mga lalaki matuto ring maging nanay sa mga anak nila.

Krista: Aside from being sensitive and passionate, men should realize the fact that at the deepest level, men and women are the same and are capable of doing the same things. Once men and women can embrace that, then they can understand each other and learn from each other.

8. What qualities should a Miss World embody? (To 1994 Miss World Aishwarya Rai of India)

Venus: Aside from the physical, she must have a sincere heart...the sincerity to help other people.

Czarina: Pagiging totoo sa sarili niya at willingness na tumulong sa pagtulong ng mga taong nangangailangan.

Krista: Aside from being beautiful, she should be smart and have a pleasant personality. She should be positive and know how to enjoy life.

9. How do you see the role of women today? (To 1996 Miss World Irene Skliva of Greece)

Venus: Women today are so powerful that they multi-task. They are not only a mother at home or a career women, they also empower people and help in the community.

Czarina: Ang babae ngayon ay hindi lang pambahay kundi pang-career na rin.

Krista: Women are great mothers and sisters and friends. They can be what they want to be, they can do anything that they want.

10. If you could change and become another person, who would you want to become and why? (To 1972 Miss Universe Kerry Anne Wells of Australia)

Venus: President Cory Aquino. I want to be like her because every Filipino looks up to her. She’s the reason why democracy is back in our country.

Czarina: My mother. Gusto ko gayahin kung paano niya kami alagaan at kung paano niya kami mahalin. My mother is a teacher.

Krista: Princess Diana. A princess who helped other people. She contributed a lot to the world.

11. A woman has just awakened after being asleep for 20 years. What would you tell her what she missed? (To 1998 Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam of Trinidad-Tobago)

Venus: I would tell her that we have new technology, that she shouldn’t worry because as a friend I’m there to help her make up for lost time.

Czarina: I would tell her about the many improvements in the past 20 years and I will explain to her kung ano ‘yung mga nangyayari ngayon sa Pilipinas.

Krista: I would tell her about the amazing developments in technology and try to help her learn and understand. If she’s worried that she looks 20 years older, I would tell her about advances in cosmetic surgery.

12. If there were no rules in your life for one day and you could be outrageous, what would you do? (To 1997 Miss Universe Brook Mahealani Lee of Hawaii)

Venus: Maybe I would just stick to what I usually do because at the end of the day I might suffer the consequences of whatever outrageous I would do that day.

Czarina: Have a boyfriend. I’ve never had a boyfriend. My parents are strict and they don’t allow me to have one yet.

Krista: Observe a meeting at the White House, go behind closed doors and find out who’s the good guy and the bad guy.

13. If you won $1M as prize, what would you do with the money? (To 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran of the Philippines)

Venus: I will give my mom a house and lot. It has been her dream to have that. The rest, I will save for my future.

Czarina: I will also build a house for my family. Now, we live in an island called Pamarawan. ‘Yung matitira, ipantutulong ko sa mga nangangailangan.

Krista: I will give gifts to special people in my life. I will buy a house in the Philippines so that when my folks come to visit from the US, mayroon silang titirhan. Now, I’m renting a condo. The rest of the money, I will invest so that I have something for the rainy day.

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