CEBU, Philippines – How did your favorite Binibinis do in the anticipated Q&A? If you missed out on the ABS-CBN late-night telecast, here’s a transcript of the Top 15’s answers on varied topics:
Kimverlyn Suiza
How would you describe or define the Philippines to a foreigner? “The Philippines is such a beautiful place, not only with beautiful places, but most importantly beautiful people. The country’s pride is its people itself because we are very happy individuals, and despite all the calamities that we experience, we are very strong and we always come back happy and always looking forward to better tomorrow.”
Princess Joy Camu
Who is the international personality you would like to take a selfie with?
“I would like to take a selfie with Angelina Jolie because she is one of the example…she is one of the strong woman, an example of a strong woman.”
Hannah Ruth Sison
In the wake of conflicts and controversies, how is winning a Binibini crown relevant? “Winning one of the crowns of Binibining Pilipinas, I think I can be a very good inspiration and a voice to a lot of people. So, I can voice out what we need to do and inspire other people to help and to unite.”
Brenna Cassandra Gamboa
You will be a national figure if you win one of the crowns tonight. How will you handle fame? “One of the ways I’d handle fame is staying true to my roots. Always remember where you came from and who you are. Always remember that I am a Filipino and I’m very proud.”
Rogelie Catacutan
Would you marry a man who is less successful than you? “Definitely, I will marry a man who is less successful than me, because when you love, it’s how you interact with people. When you say love, it’s more on feelings, which is more important. Loving the person no matter who they are or whatever they do, because love is an unconditional thing that everyone needs.”
Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
Social media is now a very powerful tool of communication. Can you tell us your thoughts about Internet censorship? “I think that we should be careful of what we post online, especially with our thoughts and our opinions that we don’t hurt anybody, especially selfies, we have to be careful with what we post, especially with our bodies and our faces, so always think before you click.”
Teresita Sen Marquez
If you win one of the crowns tonight, will you become an ambassadress of goodwill. What is your message of peace for your fellow Filipinos, especially at this time? “I would tell my fellow Filipinos that we should learn the importance of dialogue to be able to have a conflict resolution. Filipinos have integrity. They have passion and they’re determined to persevere. If we all unite and just be able to help one another, then we will achieve peace.”
Maolin Yalung
Given the chance to meet Manny Pacquiao, how will you motivate him to win the upcoming Pacquiao-Mayweather fight? “I believe Manny Pacquiao is already socially aware because he’s in politics, and I would just go tell him to go be himself because when you are true to yourself, you can do whatever you want. You can express yourself good and you always believe in God. So I think that’s enough for him to win this upcoming fight.”
Ann Lorraine Colis
How has joining Binibining Pilipinas changed you? “Joining Binibining Pilipinas changed me a lot and it cleared my advocacy in life, which is education and my main purpose why I joined Binibining Pilipinas for I believe that education can change the world.”
Janicel Lubina
As a modern Filipina, what is more important, a successful career or a happy home? “As a Filipina, we can have both. Because Filipinas are very strong . We can face a lot of challenges and we do not let challenges stop us from reaching our goals in life. And to have that, like me I want to pursue my education and I want to have a better life for my family and for us to have a happy family also.”
Alaiza Flor Malinao
When is a woman truly successful? “A woman is truly successful when she sees the happiness of the people around her and that she has a special person that she could stand right next to him, making him a stronger man that he can be.”
Justine Felizarta
Aside from winning the crown tonight, what was your prayer when you woke up this morning? “I prayed that my family would get here safely because my family traveled all the way here just to watch me tonight to stand on this stage to be confident and strong and hopefully bag an international crown and I pray that they would get here safely because they mean the world to me and they are my root and they are my ground and they keep me strong and support me in whatever I do.”
Christi Lynn McGarry
What would you tell a child, who longs for her OFW mother? “Something that I will tell a child who longs for her OFW mother is that whatever she is doing overseas is for the benefit of their own good, that she loves him very very very much and she has sacrificed a lot for her, him or her, and one day she will be in their arms again and everything will be alright.”
Anja Vanessa Peter
March is International Women’s month. What do you believe is God’s greatest gift to women? “God’s greatest gift to women is bearing a child because I think giving birth to a kid is such a wonderful thing. Giving birth to life is such a wonderful thing. You can share your love, and you can raise a child to be something wonderful.”
Kylie Versoza
In our modern age, do you think it is appropriate for women to court men? “In our modern age today I believe that anything is possible. I believe that women who are strong and confident and are empowered are allowed to do anything that they want, but personally I believe that fidelity is still present and men should be able to go after the women and this is what I believe in.” — PhilStar News Service