FULL TEXT: Binibining Pilipinas 2018 Top 15 finalists’ Q&A

MANILA, Philippines — Based on Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s experience joining Binibining Pilipinas three times, the Question and Answer (Q&A) portion is really the make or break for every beauty queen.

She revealed during Bb. Pilipinas 2018’s coronation night on March 18 that she aced in the portion for being talkative.

During the final round, the contest's Top 15 finalists were given 30 seconds to answer each question from the judges:

• Edgar Saavedra - Megawide Construction Chairman
• Mike Brown - Novotel Hotels General Manager
• Gerald Anderson – actor
• Alyssa Valdez - volleyball star
• Martin Lopez - Chief Technology Officer, ABS-CBN Corporation
• Thirdy Ravena – basketball star
• H.E. Victor Hugo Echiverri - Columbian Ambassador to the Philippines
• Precious Lara Quigaman – actress and Miss International 2005
• Ces Oreña-Drilon — ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosystem Head and news anchor
• H.E. Sung Kim – US Ambassador to the Philippines

The finalists were randomly called through draw lots. Here are their answers to the judges' questions.

Bb. #35: Sandra Lemonon

Saavedra: “What are your insights on the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program?”

Lemonon: “The insights of the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. Actually, I studied so much for this Q&A, but suddenly that’s something that I really don’t know much about. But, at least I’m here trying to answer a good question. Thank you!”

Wurtzbach then commented after Lemonon’s response: “Oh, I love her honesty. That’s better than lying.”

“That’s true,” echoed her co-host, Richard Gutierrez.

Bb. # 11: Maria Andrea Abesamis

Brown: “Boracay has its hazardous environmental situation. What is your view on this issue?”

Abesamis: “My view on this issue is that it’s a big matter right now. We need to conserve our natural habitat and our isles as a Filipino and a Filipina. Because we live there. We live in the country. There are locals there and we’re supposed to take care of it. Thank you.”

Bb. #14: Samantha Mae Bernardo

Anderson: “What do you think is the biggest misconception about beauty pageant contestants?

Bernardo: “I think the biggest concept, misconception in beauty pageants today is that we’re just beautiful. But we are not. We are confidently beautiful. We’re compassionate and we’re very competent. We are in a year wherein we have surpassed odds about women. And we continue to prove ourselves in a society. We can be at home, raising a family, or an office having a career. Or just like me here, joining pageants, celebrating our femininity. Thank you!”

Bb. # 24: Edjelyn Joy Gamboa 

Valdez: “If inner beauty is emphasized in beauty pageants, then why are there physical requirements upon joining it?”

Gamboa: “Okay, honestly speaking, there’s no requirement, there’s no beauty requirement in a competition like this. Everyone is accepted as long as you have a good heart, as long as you are confident with your looks, and then you’ll be a part of Binibining Pilipinas. Thank you.”

Wurtzbach then commented: “It’s for everyone! I like that.”

Bb. # 3: Murielle Adrienne Orais

Lopez: “This year marks the graduation of the first-ever batch of K-to-12 students. What is your message to them?”

Orais: “My message to the students is that you have to focus on your studies, because their parents are very working hard for their education. I believe that education will give them knowledge and experience and it will give them a better future. Thank you.”

Wurtzbach nodded with Orais: “I believe that, too!”

Bb. # 1: Vickie Marie Rushton

Ravena: “Do you believe hazing and fraternities has its own good? Why and why not?”

Rushton: “I believe that any violence is no good, because one person alone can stand up for herself or himself. And as a Bb. Pilipinas, I can be that influence to spread the word that violence is not acceptable. Thank you.”

Bb. # 32: Eva Psychee Patalinjug

Echiverri: “What is the role of beauty queens in the pursuit of our country’s economic success, if any?”

Patalinjug: “A role of the beauty queen is to be a voice. I am here to make a message to all of you. In these times of uncertainty…taking over our country, we have remained steadfast and have faith in all of its challenges. As a united nation, what we should do is to set aside our political differences, economic and social preferences. Let our love and loyalty to our country rise above all, in the hopes of making a peaceful country. Thank you.”

Gutierrez then commented: “Very well said!”

Bb. # 17: Maria Athisa Manalo

Quigaman: “How should a beauty queen respond to ruthless criticism?”

Manalo: “A beauty queen should always respond to criticisms constructively. We beauty queens are public figures and we put ourselves in a position to be judged. But nonetheless, we should always, we should always filter which comments we should accept and what we should not. Thank you.”

Wurtzbach then said: “Good save! I love that!”

Richard added: “Nice recover!”

Bb. # 19: Michele Theresa Gumabao

Drilon: “What can you do to fight fake news?”

Gumabao: “I know that fake news is very rampant nowadays, but in order to fight these, we must first, know what we are reporting, know what we are reading and at the same time, be accountable for what we say, especially online. And I hope that media always filters their news, their resources to always deliver truth and authentic news. Thank you.”

Wurtzbach then commented: “Well said.”

Bb. # 31: Jehza Mae Huelar

Kim: “What do you think is the most important quality of a millennial woman?”

Huelar: “I think the most important quality a millennial woman have is to have a vision. With her vision, she should have this attitude and perseverance so that she can achieve her goals. And if she’s good at vision, she will be able to express herself freely. So I would hope that all the millennials out here would really adhere to our culture and our tradition so that we can inspire others, we can impact people. Thank you.”

Bb. # 26: Wynonah Van Joy Buot

Anderson: “Name one great Filipino artist you truly admire and why?”

Buot: “One great Filipino artist I truly admire would probably be Toni Gonzaga. Although she’s a celebrity and we have a stereotype when it comes to celebrities, I truly admire her because she follows a certain path when it comes to her life. She actually has a successful career, a complete family, and she did these all together by following her parents. And that’s one important thing that we millennials must learn. You will never fail in life when you follow your parents. Thank you!”

Wurtzbach said: “I’m gonna remember that!”

Gutierrez then seconded: “Shout out to mom and dad!”

Wurtzbach added: “I love you, mommy!”

Bb. # 21: Anjame Magbitang

Lopez: “When is the right time to listen and when is the right time to speak?”

Magbitang: “It’s time to listen if you respect the people who will talk and then you will try to speak after the people who talk to you speak because there must be…The best version...”

Bb. # 38: Karen Juanita Gallman

Quigaman: “Do you agree that a third restroom should be built for transgenders? Why or why not?”

Gallman: “I definitely agree there should be a third restroom for transgender because us women would like a privacy and also with men, and we have a separate room for the transgender. It just serves as an equality and privatization. Thank you.”

Bb. #15: Juliana Kapeundl

Drilon: “Misogyny or bias against women has been very prevalent lately. How should this be addressed?”

Kapeundl: “I think this should be addressed by empowering women. We women, we have to think that we are not just women. We don’t need labels. As mother, daughter, sister, we have our own individuality and we have to use it to our advantage and let our strengths shine. So, as women, we have to empower our co-women an equality with men in the future. Thank you.”

Bb. #20: Catriona Elisa Gray

Kim: “After the devastating war, Marawi is now on its way to recovery. What is your message to the young women of Marawi?”

Gray: “Thank you for that question. My answer and my message to the women is to be strong. As women, we’re the head of the household and we have amazing influence not only in our families, as mothers, sisters and friends, but also in our community. If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children and the people around them, then once the rebuilding is complete and is underway, the morale of the community will stay strong and high. Thank you.”

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