Below is the full transcript and video of the Q&A segment of last night’s Bb. Pilipinas 2017 Grand Coronation Night held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Crista Borja
Q: What kind of day would describe the best day of your life?
A: It will definitely be this day. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. I’ve been challenged mentally, physically and emotionally. I moved from Great Britain back to the Philippines, left my stable job, my career, and this is what I’m fighting for and this is the best day of my life.
Sirene Sutton
Q: Is it right for parents to demand support from children in exchange of raising them?
A: No answer
Katarina Rodriguez
Q: What is the definition of a winner?
A: My definition of a winner is somebody who understands that winning isn’t just because of the real way, it’s because of the responsibility that comes along when you win and how you execute the job after you win. I think a winner is somebody who knows how to inspire others, who inspire and brave and so ever curious.
Mariel de Leon
Q: What activity that is male-oriented that you can equally do as well if not better than males?
A: Well I think I can box better than males. I believe I can do everything better than males because it isn’t about gender at all. It’s about your abilities, your strength, your weaknesses and your confidence within yourself. With that, you can achieve anything.
Elizabeth Clenci
Q: If you are caught in a heavy, terribly frustrating traffic, what are the best ways to make your time productive?
A: If I’m caught in traffic, what I usually do is read and sleep, ‘coz time is of an essence so I feel like when you’re stuck in traffic, you really need to make use of your time. So, I read or I sleep or talk on the phone with a loved one.
Larah Grace Lacap
Q: The making of a beauty queen is about transformations. What are the most significant transformation you have gone through in your pursuit to become a beauty queen?
A: The most significant change I’ve had before joining Binibining Pilipinas is I’m more motivated in what I wanted to do and I am more physically fit than before because I know that what I wanted to do will make me a better person.
Kristel Guelos
Q: Hidilyn Diaz, an olympic silver medalist exemplifies the physica strength of the Filipina. What kind of strength as a Filipina can you show to the universe?
A: As a medical practitioner and as a Binibining Pilipinas candidate, I can show the universe the dedication and passion I am having right now. And that is what I can share to others to become an influence of goodwill and to motivate others to become the best version of themselves.
Rachel Peters
Q: This week, the Philippines hosted the ASEAN Summit. If you were invited to speak, what would have been your message to the leaders?
A: I believe one of the biggest problems that our country is facing today is divisiveness in politics, in religion and also in culture. And I believe that it is something that is the same across the world. And that is something I would want to address. I believe that when people can learn to tolerate each other’s differences and respect each other’s opinions, then we will just be a stronger nation and world.
Gabriella Ortega
Q: What fear do you have that you would like to conquer, and why?
A: The fear that I have that I would like to conquer is the fear to fail. That is something that is happening to me in this journey because I receive so much love from my relatives, so overwhelming. And I thought, oh if I’m going to fail, what’s going to happen? But then I thought, what you have to do is embrace the people that love you because they accept your failures and your achievements in life and here I am in the Top 15.
Charmaine Elima
Q: What is your view on cursing?
A: My view about cursing is something that we should avoid. It is something that other people can hear from the older ones. The thing that children should not hear because the children follow(s) what the older people say(s). So for me, my view of cursing is something that we should avoid in our everyday lives so instead of cursing, and that’s negativity, we should be more focused about positivity and promote and embrace life.
Maria Camille Manalo
Q: A high percentage of students are being bullied in schools everyday. What is your message to the bullies and their parents?
A: My message to the bullied students is just no matter what should came from from being bullied, just stand up, prove to them that they’re wrong and then no matter what happen to you, prove to them that you can stand up on your own. Give them your best shot.”
Nelda Ibe
Q: Death penalty has been a big issue concerning the Philippines in the recent months. Are you for or against death penalty?
A: Well, I believe that we should not condemn life. We are sinners but then, we have to give importance to the life that God has given us. So, my stand is, I am against of it. Because, we should celebrate what God has given us, and that is life.
Chanel Olive Thomas
Q: Many countries have already legalized same-sex marriage. Do you think the Philippines should follow?
A: As a Christian, I do believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. However, I do believe that everyone, every single person in the world deserves to be with whoever they want. And if they want to get married, that is fine.
Juliana Kapuendl
Q: The Philippines has become a powerhouse in the pageant world. What do you think are the main reasons that made this possible?
A: I think the main reason that the Philippines became the powerhouse of pageants is because of resilience. Like our previous beauty queens, even though they failed on the first time in joining Binibining Pilipinas, they tried second and third time, they emerged victorious not only in our country, but in the whole universe.
Jehza Mae Huelar
Q: What is the role of a beauty queen in a country that lacks unity?
A: I think the role of a beauty queen is not just winning the crown but also to become the voice of the people. I believe that I can use my voice to the people who are affected by the war in my city and to those who are affected by the earthquake in Mindanao. So I will use my voice to become influential voice to the other people and it will help unite our people.
Watch the video below.
Last night, Rachel Peters from Camarines Sur was crowned Miss Universe Philippines, while Maria Angelica De Leon, Chanel Olive Thomas, Katarina Rodriguez, Nelda Ibe and Elizabeth Clenci were named as the queens who will represent the country in 5 other international pageants this year.