Lea Macapagal - Dinalupihan, Bataan - Question from software engineer William Vincent Araneta Marcos: At a time when pageant candidates pursue different advocacies, Binibini 38, my question for you is, did you choose your advocacy or did your advocacy choose you, and why do you say so? | Answer: 'I grew up with an underprivileged marginalized sector in Dinalupihan, Bataan, which is our Indigenous People, Aetas. I grew up with them. I played with them. I even went to the same school with them. I even supported their education, like producing laptops with the help of the LGU. And this advocacy did not choose me, because up until now, I work in the construction company, the Indigenous People of Bataan is the heart and soul of my construction family. And I am proud about it. Thank you.'
Trisha Martinez - Laguna - Question from actress Dolly de Leon: My question is actually a very popular slogan these days. Binibini 29, what truly wins to you一is it love or character? | Answer: 'As the youngest member of the family, I have very loving parents. My siblings, ate and kuyas, [have] instilled the value of love in me. So I was told that the world would hurt me, but I learned that in all aspects of life, we have to choose love. And I have learned that my love will always be bigger than all things even if the world is hurting me. So I will choose love. Thank you.'
Katrina Johnson - Davao del Sur - Question from actor Piolo Pascual: What are you most unapologetic for when it comes to your personal values? | Answer: 'What I'm most unapologetic for is my authenticity, my honesty, my sincerity. My parents really instilled those values into me at a young age, showing me that you can accomplish anything in the world that you put your mind to as long as you're loyal to who you are who you are in your heart. And I really hope that I'm able to inspire other people standing on this stage, showing you that even though you may not fit the societal norm, if you are who you are, then you're able to show that to the world. Thank you.'
Mary Chiles Balana - Hermosa, Bataan - Question from Wolfgang's Steakhouse President and Co-Founder Peter Zwiener: Many observe we live in a polarized society now. Binibini 36, do you think it is inappropriate and polarizing for a beauty queen to express her political views? | Answer: 'As a beauty queen, as a queen who stands in front of everyone, it is important for a queen to express her political views. A queen must know how to stand on her grounds and be able to express herself because it's through understanding what's going on in our society that we will be able to know what to do, and that should come [from] us queens and as well as [from] the leaders [in] our country. So again, for me, it is important that we can express our own political views without being harmed. Thank you.'
Annalena Valencia Lakrini - Bataan - Question from Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan: Binibini 24, we would like to hear your thoughts on this matter. In what ways is a beauty pageant candidate aiming for a crown similar to a politician running for an electoral post? | Answer: 'As someone who's joining for the second time, I know that a beauty pageant has a platform on which we can talk about causes which are dear to our heart. My cause that is dear to my heart is nutrition. As a nutrition scientist, as an advocate for proper nutrition, I know that in advocating with this platform from Binibining Pilipinas, we can inspire so many people. A politician can inspire a whole community, and so can we.'
Jessilen Salvador - Aklan - Question from Miss International 2022 Jasmin Selberg: In what ways have you been kind to yourself and maintain happiness in your personal space amidst the challenges of joining a beauty pageant? | Answer: 'As I have said before, I joined Binibining Pilipinas to conquer my fear, to be in this very stage. And the kindness I gave in this pageant is that I have a sisterhood that's always been there for me. And then you know, that sisterhood in Binibining Pilipinas really matters and up until the end, they will really matter and they will always be there for you no matter what happens. Thank you.'
Kiaragiel Gregorio - Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija - Question from Philippine Tatler Editor-In-Chief Anton San Diego: A beauty queen said in an interview that removing the age requirement in beauty pageants may delay a pageant's hopes in pursuing her dream. What are your thoughts on this? | Answer: 'Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with increasing age limits within pageantry. This is because us women, we are here to be of service of the people in front of us and the people we can inspire and be of hope to. And becoming a beauty queen, we are able to inspire other people and be a vector of hope in order to pursue our advocacies. For example, I aim to pursue my advocacy in inspiring humanity in choosing equality and in stronger institutions within. Thank you.'
Angelica Lopez - Palawan - Question from Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan: This is a very interesting question. Binibini 6, what makes you a Binibini who walks the talk, who is beyond mere self-promotion? | Answer: 'I stand here tonight because it is my mother that instilled in me the values and morals that I am using to be the woman that I am now today – a woman who has the strength, courage, and tenacity. The strength to decide for herself, what she wants, really works hard to achieve it, to also have the courage to face any obstacles in life and tenacity to hold onto her wisdom of choice. I believe it is always a dream come true to be here. And that is why I am a Binibini that I’m always meant to be.'
Atasha Reign Parani - General Trias, Cavite - Question from singer, rapper, and SB19 member Josh Cullen: Social media definitely creates engagement in pageantry. However, some observed that these are shallow and non-lasting connections. Binibini 16, what are your thoughts on this social situation we are facing now? | Answer: 'As a public figure and as someone from ABS-CBN who gives service to the Filipino, what I believe is that social media is not just connection but engagement as well and touching other people’s lives with the heart that you have – a heart of gold. And for me, my advocacy is for the children who have been domestically abused. And if I were to imagine to inspire them and see that younger self of mine in the mirror every single day, then I would do it another time like it’s my ultimate last chance. I just really want to show everyone that with social media and every platform, you can still move people and the world. Thank you.'
Jeanne Isabelle Bilasano - Albay - Question from Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz: As a beauty queen, you undergo a lot of hard and heavy training that turn you into a total package candidate My question for you, Binibini #14, how do you balance good health and dieting? | Answer: 'As a Binibini, it's important that we take care of our body, but at the same time, I want to advocate for good body positivity. But at the same time, it can be hard for Binibinis to maintain their figure and I want to tell everybody that no matter what size, shape, or figure you are [in], as long as you're happy with your body, as long as you're happy with yourself, that's the best thing you can do to be in the perfect shape. Thank you.'
Loraine Jara - Bulacan - Question from social media personality, content creator and businesswoman Small Laude: 'My question is, the dream of becoming a queen can literally be costly or expensive, Binibini 39, what are your sentiments on the high cost or expenses a pageant candidate faces when joining a pageant nowadays?'| Answer: 'Good evening. Coming to this pageant, I am weaponless. No experiences. This is my first national pageant. However, I am very happy that I always feel the love and support of my family, the people around me. And I am proud to say that I pursued this, and I am very grateful that these people showed their love to me. And through that, I am capable and I am fearless. And because of that, I believe that dreams should not be costly because once you become fearless, our dreams become limitless. Salamat po.'
