Miss Universe Philippines 2022 bares Interview Challenge Q&A winners

MANILA, Philippines — Over the weekend, the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) organization conducted the Interview Challenge, the last hurdle that the remaining 48 aspirants had to undergo before the names of the Top 30 candidates will be revealed this week.

MUPH Director of Communications Voltaire Tayag moderated the Q & A session. Each contestant was given 45 seconds to introduce herself. All 48 hopefuls were asked three identical questions. The first question asked about the delegates' wellbeing: "It's two years since the pandemic, what is life for you now?"

The second question had a political color, in view of the forthcoming elections: "What qualities do you look for in a President?"

And the last query had in mind the promotion of tourism in the ladies' respective hometowns: "What is the uniquely beautiful place or thing about your hometown that you want to tell people about?"

Unlike other challenges that have three top choices, the Interview Challenge has four. These are:

• Julia Saubier of Albay
• Jeanne Nicci Orcena of Davao del Norte
• Aidyl Mhay Sanchez of Guiguinto, Bulacan
• and Vanessa Ann Caro of Iloilo Province.

Julia learned martial arts four years ago while completing her master's degree in China. Pageant observers are of the opinion that the 27-year-old French-Pinay is peaking at the right moment.

Jeanne Nicci has an ace up her sleeve. As the winner of the Kumu Livestream Challenge, she gets to pick her makeup artist of choice during the preliminaries. The fresh-faced Davao del Norte rep has so much to be happy about as styling is a very tricky game in itself.

Aidyl Mhay Sanchez of Guiguinto, Bulacan has proven grey matter between one's ears really matter. As the first entrant in the Kumu Livestream interviews, she has set the bar quite high; especially in the Q&A categories.

Vanessa Ann Caro of Iloilo Province has proven that a polyglot will always have an advantage in any colloquy. The former Dinagyang Queen can speak four languages fluently.

Meanwhile, Kumu has chosen its official rep who will advance to the Top 30. Shawntel Cruz won over the crop of hopefuls in the selection process. She is the Kumuniverse's standard bearer and will represent the Province of Benguet.

Apart from these winners, of the 48 responses, five gave the most impressive and eloquent replies:

• Celeste Cortesi, Pasay City
• Michelle Marquez Dee, Makati
• Julia Saubier, Albay
• Vanessa Ann Caro, Iloilo Province
• Chantal Elise Schmidt, Cebu City

One entrant, who is neither touted a frontrunner nor a dark horse, breezed through the interview with flying colors. This well-spoken lady is Abigail Contreras Maclang, representative of Malolos, Bulacan.

Other noteworthy responses came from:

• Dorothy Gemillan (Iloilo City)
• Danielle Arielle Camcam (San Juan)
• Annabelle MacDonnell (Misamis Oriental)
• Pauline Amelinckx (Bohol)
• Lou Dominique Piczon (Cebu Province)
• Jedidah Korinihona (Davao del Sur)

The following contestants also showed a good turn in the interview challenge:

• Ma. Katrina Llegado (Taguig)
• Jeanne Nicci Orcena (Davao del Norte)
• Isabel Kristine Braza (Las Piñas)
• Shaira Aliyah Diaz (San Pablo, Laguna)
• Sophia Veronica Torres (Rizal)
• Anjeanette Japor (Lucena)
• Zeneth Joy Khan (Isabela) 

In a few days, the MUPH will reveal the names of the lucky entrants, who will join Shawntel, as this year's official batch of delegates. The Miss Universe Philippines 2022 coronation night is slated to unfold at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on April 30. Stay tuned!

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