TRANSCRIPT: How the Top 11 candidates performed at the Miss World PH 2022’s Q&A round
The Top 11 finalists of the Miss World Philippines 2022 expressed their thoughts and opinions about different problems concerning the country and the world at the coronation night on Sunday, June 5.
Among the issues covered in the question-and-answer portion were climate change, politics, traffic problems, and press freedom. Each hopeful had only 45 seconds to answer their randomly picked question from a judge.
Here’s how the Top 11 candidates performed during the segment of the MWP 2022 finals, where Candidate #25 Gwendolyne Fourniol stood out and took home the highly coveted crown.
#21 Paula Ortega
How would you console the Filipino commuting public, especially those in Metro Manila that there's a silver lining to our traffic problems?
Montenegro: I think we should address our traffic problems by using more sustainable transportation. I think it's about time that Filipinos are aware of how the climate change is really present right now. COVID-19 really happened because of climate change, and we should start working altogether to embrace our home because if we do little things by using public transportation by using alternative energy, we are making a better place for our future. Thank you so much.
#7 Erika Kristensen
Do you think that we should decriminalize libel?
Kristensen: Yes, I definitely think that we should decriminalize libel because, especially in our day and age, we really don't know if that person is actually saying something true or not. And I think that, you know, we should start embracing press freedom. That, of course, includes libel because a threat to our press is, of course, a threat to our democracy, and how can we move forward if we do not embrace this? So yes, definitely. I think everybody should have the right to, and the freedom rather, to say whatever they want but I think that it should be with responsibility and that I think we should decriminalize libel.
#25 Gwendolyne Fourniol
How do we cope up from an education deficit accumulated due to the pandemic?
Fourniol: As an advocate of education, I do agree that during the pandemic, we have suffered the most, but the children who have a lack of access to education have suffered the greatest and working hand-in-hand with ERDA Foundation who empower the marginalized Filipino, I believe by uniting benefactors and encouraging our children and allowing them to go back to school, especially during this pandemic, will make this world a better place because education is the greatest weapon against poverty. Thank you.
#24 Alison Black
If you were to be appointed as Secretary of the Department of Tourism, what innovation would you implement to boost cultural tourism?
Black: It would definitely be sustainable tourism. The Philippines is such a melting pot for different cultures, and we are the best tourist spot in the whole world. But because we are so popular, we are degrading the environment and we are losing the touch of our culture. So if we can promote sustainable tourism by avoiding overtourism, and making sure that each Filipino gets to explore each and every corner of the Philippines, then we can celebrate the Philippines while protecting it. Thank you.
#20 Ashley Montenegro
Should bloggers be accredited as members of the mainstream media?
Montenegro: I do believe so because they are voices for the things that they care about, for other people as well as those that they represent. Bloggers and vloggers do their best to provide people with information on all shapes, sizes, forms, and platforms. My mother personally herself is a blogger. I know that she proudly advocates and shares all the things she's passionate about. Anyone can be well educated on the subject if they're passionate and dedicated. And if people use credible sources, then absolutely. Thank you.
#18 Justine Felizarta
What can we learn from celebrity breakups that expose their private lives to the public?
Felizarta: We all have choices in this life and to be a celebrity is someone to be of power and to have power is someone who has authority. But it doesn't mean that they are not human. We should always respect people regardless of what they are going through, because you never know what they are going through with their private lives. And I think if you do this, we'll definitely become more connected together and respected for one another. Thank you.
#9 Kayla Tiongson
What do you think is the most inconvenient truth about climate change?
Tiongson: I believe the most inconvenient truth about climate change is that we continue to neglect it. We continue to deny that it's happening, and that is why scientists nowadays are continuously trying to voice out the problems about climate change. That is why we must continue to educate the public on what actually is happening around the world, and then empower those who are taking the lead so that they may continue to solve and create solutions for these problems, so that we may transform our nation and finally solve this lifelong problem. Thank you.
#22 Cassandra Bermeo Chan
Should the people within the LGBTQ+ community have the need to come out of the closet? Why or why not?
Chan: With someone who has many friends in the LGBTQ+ community, I know their struggles, their stories. I respect that when they want to come out, it is their choice. I believe that as a straight cis woman, I should respect them and give them love and kindness. That is what the LGBTQ+ community needs, especially in this age. I want to empower them and embrace them with my love. And that's why I'm an exceptionally empowered Filipina.
#34 Beatriz McLelland
Do you agree that we should tax the rich even more to help the hungry rebound from the pandemic?
McLelland: Definitely. I think these are people who are in businesses, who have successful ones. I think they should be taxed as high as they can, to help the people who are in need, especially through the pandemic. I think it should be concerning for them that they should contribute to the economy, to the people around them, instead of just focusing on their own businesses and their own pleasure and interest. And so with that, I think that they should be taxed higher so that they could help their fellow citizens. Thank you.
#13 Maria Gigante
How is a bill seeking to grant a five-day mental wellness leave to workers essential for both employees and their employers?
Gigante: A mental health illness is just the same as any illness. I think it's very important that as ambassadors of goodwill, as beauty queens, and perhaps as the next Miss World Philippines, we have to help spread awareness of the fact that mental illness is just like any illness and should be treated with just as much urgency. So yes, it is completely valid for us to now accept the fact that one can have a mental health leave. In fact, places all over the world have made room for more open and honest conversations on what it means to be more human. Like in Spain, for example, we now have a leave for women who are on their period. it is high time that we recognize we're only human and only then can we make a better world.
#17 Ingrid Santamaria
How do you think can we unite as a people under one flag after a very divisive election?
Santamaria: To be able to unite as a people, we need to remember that we are working toward one common goal, and that common goal is to make our nation a better place, to develop our nation, to support our communities, and to grow our culture and our heritage. No matter what our political beliefs are, no matter what our religion is, we should all remember to start with respect. We should respect each individual whether or not we agree with their sentiments and then we can be able to learn how to be united, how to work towards a common goal, and how to create a better world.