MANILA, Philippines – “Always think before you click,” says Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach when she was asked by Albay Rep. Leni Robredo about her thoughts on social media posting and Internet censorship.
Wurtzbach was hailed as the new Miss Universe-Philippines last night during the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night held at the Araneta Coliseum. Also declared as winners were Janicel Lubina (Bb Pilipinas-International), Rogelie Catacutan (Bb Pilipinas-Supranational), Christi Lynn McGarry (Bb Pilipinas-Intercontinental) and Ann Lorraine Colis (Bb Pilipinas-Tourism).
Below is the full transcript and video of Binibining Pilipinas 2015 Question and Answer (Q & A):
Bb 8 Kimverlyn Suiza
Question by Ambassador Gilles Garachon: How would you describe or define your country, the Philippines, to a foreigner?
Answer: 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. Thank you.
Bb 14 Princess Joy Camu
Question by Vice Ganda: Who is the international personality you would like to take a selfie with?
Answer: 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. That would be all, thank you.
Bb 28 Hannah Ruth Sison
Question by Justice Secretary Leila De Lima: In the wake of conflicts and controversies, how is winning a Binibini crown relevant?
Answer: Well, as 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. That’s all. Thank you.
Bb 17 Brenna Cassandra Gamboa
Question by Ambassador Luis Fernando Lillo: You will be a national figure if you win one of the crowns tonight. How will you handle fame?
Answer: Hello. Good evening. Thank you for that question. One of the ways I’d handle fame is of course 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. Thank you.
Bb 25 Rogelie Catacutan
Question by Frederick Go: Would you marry a man who is less successful than you?
Answer: Definitely. I would marry a man who is less successful than me because when you say love, it’s how you interact with people and when you say love it’s more on feelings and that is more important, loving the person no matter who they are or whatever they do because love is an unconditional thing that everyone needs. Good evening!
Bb 10 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
Question by Congresswoman Leni Robredo: Social media is now a very powerful tool of communications. Can you tell us your thought about Internet censorship?
Answer: 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. Thank you.
Bb 34 Teresita Marquez
Question by General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.: If you win one of the crowns tonight, will you become an Ambassadress of good will? What is your message of peace for your fellow Filipinos, especially at this time?
Answer: I would tell to the 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. Thank you.
Bb 9 Maolin Yalung
Question by Ambassador Bernd Schneider: Given the chance to meet Manny Pacquiao, how will you motivate him to win the upcoming Pacquiao-Mayweather fight?
Answer: Well, 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. Thank you.
Bb 24 Ann Lorraine Colis
Question by Ambassador Gilles Garachon: How has joining Binibining Pilipinas changed you?
Answer: Joining Binibining Pilipinas changed me a lot and it cleared g 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. Thank you.
Bb 11 Janicel Lubina
Question by Congresswoman Leni Robredo: As a modern Filipina, what is more important, a successful career or a happy home?
Answer: For me, as a Filipina, we can have both. Because we are Filipina as very strong . We can face a lot of challenges and we do not let challenges to 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 my family and for us to have a happy family also. Thank you.
Bb 21 Allysa Flor Malinao
Question by Bern Schneider: Tell us please, when is a woman truly successful?
Answer: 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. Thank you.
Bb 23 Justine Felizarta
Question by Vice Ganda: Aside from winning the crown tonight, what was your prayer when you woke up this morning?
Answer: Good evening everyone. Besides winning the crown, 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. Thank you.
Bb 19 Christi Lynn McGarry
Question by Justice Secretary Leila De Lima: What would you tell a child, who longs for her OFW mother?
Answer: 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. Thank you.
Bb 22 Anja Vanessa Peter
Question by Sarah Meier: March is International Women’s month. What do you believe is God’s greatest gift to women?
Answer: God’s greatest gift to women, is actually, for me, 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. Thank you.
Bb 12 Kylie Versoza
Question by Kiefer Ravena: In our modern age, do you think it is appropriate for women to court men? Why or why not?
Answer: In our modern age today I believe that anything is possible. And 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. Thank you.
Video by aCrowningBeauty