MANILA, Philippines – Candidate No. 41 Ariella Arida of Laguna was the first contestant to participate in the much-awaited question-and-answer portion of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas coronation night held on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Arida was eventually named Miss Universe Philippines 2013, and is set to represent the country in the upcoming international pageant.
She answered this question from judge Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima: “Name a lesson about life that women can teach men.”
The beauty queen, who also won Best in Swimsuit, replied: “One lesson in life that women can teach men is being sensitive because we all know that men are more logical when it comes to decision[-making]. They’re usually more rational, straightforward. Unlike we women, we use our hearts and tend to get emotional in some of our decisions. So, that’s it for me. Sensitivity is something that we, women, can teach to men. Thank you.”
Candidate No. 20 Bea Rose Santiago of Masbate was crowned Binibining Pilipinas-International, and is set to compete in the Miss International beauty pageant. She also bagged the Binibining Avon award.
She was given this question by judge Miss International Beauty Congress president Hirofumi Hashimoto: “Complete this sentence: The ideal Filipino is…”
Santiago replied: “Thank you. The ideal Filipino is both proud and happy people. We love Philippines so much that we are willing to come back here every year, we’re willing to spend our Christmas, holidays every year just to be here in the Philippines. Because we Filipinos will always feel at home here in the Philippines.”
Getting the Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism, the Binibining Petron and the Cream Silk Beyond Beautiful Woman award is candidate No. 16, Joanna Cindy Miranda, who answered this question from judge Liliana Zawadzki: “What is a personal quality that most people remember about you?”
“One word that can describe me is I’m unstoppable. Everything that I wanted in life, I did it, even if I didn’t have permission from my parents, from my friends, or people around me. If I know that what I want to do is right and good for me, I will do it. And at the end of it, I know every people around me will be proud of me. Thank you,” the beauty queen from Nueva Ecija replied.
Candidate No. 39 Mutya Johanna Datul was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Supranational, and also received the Binibining Photogenic and Best in Evening Gown awards.
She got this question from judge Amb. Roberto Mayorga: “Many beauty queens have embraced advocacies after their reigns. What would be your advocacy?”
Datul, who hails from Isabela, replied: “Thank you so much, sir. My advocacy is I want to extend my help to those people who are in need, especially the BPCI (Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc.) charity, and I want to be part of them to helping those charity, BPCI. Thank you so much.”
Meanwhile, candidate No. 15 Pia Wurtzbach of Cagayan de Oro, who is a member of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic, was named first runner-up.
Purisima asked her this question: “What do you think is the greatest achievement of Binibining Pilipinas in its 50 years of existence? Why do you think so?”
Wurtzbach replied: “I think the greatest achievement that Binibining Pilipinas has given to the world is the candidates, not just the winners, but everyone. Because each candidate… our lives changed when we joined this pageant, and we became inspiration to other people. And that’s why I think the greatest gift of Binibining Pilipinas is its candidates. Thank you.”
Here is the question and answer portion for the rest of the Top 15 candidates in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant:
Candidate No. 45, Imelda SchweighartQuestion (from judge Bobby Huang): “The Beatles believed that all you need is love. Agree or disagree, and why?”
Answer: “You know what, we should spread world peace. We people tend to overthink sometimes, and we tend to think about negative energies. And I think we should just think of positive energies. In that case, we will spread love to everybody. Thank you.”
Candidate No. 13, Charmaine ElimaQuestion (from judge ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez): “You know, in this digital age, on Facebook, everything is made public. So, for you, what for you should remain private, and why?”
Answer: “For me, those things should remain private is your self, especially in terms of being open up in everything to them. Your personality, your personal intentions should be private. Thank you.”
Candidate No. 43, Rhea NakpilQuestion (from judge Sec. Rene Almendras): “Recently, a Filipino nurse was praised at President Obama’s State of the Union Address because of her heroism during typhoon Sandy. What is the trait that makes Filipinos stand out in the world?”
Answer: “I think one of the traits that make Filipinos stand in the world is honesty. For I believe honesty is the root to success, to heroism, heroic deeds and to the success of the world, most especially in terms of being a Filipino. Thank you very much.”
Candidate No. 46, Amanda Noelle NavaseroQuestion (from judge Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz): “Do you think you could be a good Catholic if you believe in the RH bill?”
Answer: “I believe that believing in the RH bill is a good… especially for us educated people, we should know how to be a… we should know how to… understand the RH bill itself. So it’s really important, especially for the kids right now. Thank you very much.”
Candidate No. 34, Grace Yann ApuadQuestion (from judge Amb. Massimo Rosigno): “What can be your greatest contribution to your local community?”
Answer: “Good evening, sir. Thank you for that question. The greatest contribution that I can give is being an inspiration to the youth because I myself is a very independent person. I have been living on my own and I was able to finish studies even without my parents, and I think that will serve as inspiration to the youth today. Thank you.”
Candidate No. 22, Ellore Noelle PunzalanQuestion (from judge Philippine Azkals player James Younghusband): “If you have the opportunity to speak to the new Pope, what would you tell him?”
Answer: “If I would have the opportunity to meet the new Pope, I would congratulate him first for having that opportunity. And I would like him to pray for our country, the Philippines, to be united. To have love, to serve as… something that would be relevant to everyone. The Filipino family is something that we should be proud of.”
Candidate No. 12, Camille Carla NazarQuestion (from judge Louis Ng): “Which country in the world, aside from the Philippines, fascinates you and why?”
Answer: “Nais ko po sanang sagutin ang iyong katanungan sa wikang Filipino. Sa totoo po, kung ako’y papipiliin, ayoko po sanang bitiwan ang Pilipinas dahil mahal ko po ito. Pero kung bibigyan ako ng chance, nais ko pong maka… sa Amerika po. Dahil sa tingin ko ito ‘yung pinaka… para sa akin, maunlad na bansa at andoon sa President Obama na siyang matatag na president natin. Thank you.”
Candidate No. 31, Maria Angelica de LeonQuestion (from judge "The Buzz" host Boy Abunda): “My question is, are the best things in life really for free? Why or why not?”
Answer: “Yes, I do believe that the best things in life are free, like love, family, happiness and, of course, the care that you get from all your loved ones. And, of course, you could not buy that from anyone, you get it from respect and love. Thank you.”
Candidate No. 25, Merry Joyce RespicioQuestion (from judge James Younghusband): “If you were to break one habit, what would it be and why?”
Answer: “At 18 years old, I love eating junk food and that’s one thing… that’s one thing that I would like to break ‘cause it’s not healthy. Thank you.”
Candidate No. 33, Parul ShahQuestion (from judge Liliana Zawadzki): “What would you tell a child who’s being bullied in school?
Answer: “I would tell the child to never look down, bring himself up even though he’s being stepped on. Because for me, I do believe that it will start from one’s self. Respect everyone around you and humility in one’s self will actually… will actually eradicate people who bully children. Thank you.”
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
