TRANSCRIPT: Binibining Pilipinas Top 15 Q&A portion

Tonight we have the honor of being joined by amazing Queens of Bibibining Pilipinas. What do you think are the qualities that sets her apart from other beauty pageant candidates?

Bb. 36 Bulacan Province, Samantha Acosta: As Miss World Vision ambassadress for children, just like my name Sam, I am a woman of significance, authenticity, and meaning. And because of that, I share with BPCI, their key partner in nation building through my advocacy Harvesting Hope, helping the most vulnerable children in our society overcome poverty. And I think a Binibining Pilipinas queen is someone who invites everyone to promote sustainable development, dignity, and social justice and for the marginalized sector of the community to regain the hope they all had. Thank you.

What do you think, what physical asset do you have that should make you win Binibining Pilipinas?

Bb. 13 Calumpit, Bulacan, Roella Frias: As a beauty queen and as a woman of vision. I am here to present you the best version of myself despite having a pivotal losses. Eight days ago, my grandmother died, and I hope... and I know that he is in heaven watching me and proud of me that she has the best seat in heaven watching me over. Thank you.

What physical asset I have is I am beautiful. Aside from that, I have a mission and vision in life that makes me apart from the other candidate[s].

Reflecting on the past 60 years, which many Binibini queen stories have inspired you the most and why?

Bb. 24 Kalayaan, Laguna, Monica Acuno: Binibini story [that] really inspired me is Venus Raj because we have the same story coming from a very humble beginning. And as a committed Binibini who have high hopes and dreams, I would like use this platform to inspire, rather, a lot of people who come from humble beginning to push forward. Do not limit yourself, achieve your dream, whatever it is. And through this effort of mine, may I show the world that I am an empowered Filipina with a glowing heart to inspire just like a shining diamond.

If you guys speak to the fishermen, risking their lives in the West, Philippine Sea. What would you tell them?

Bb. 26 Lapu Lapu City, Cebu, Phoebe Godinez: I would tell the fishermen to not lose hope, because I trust in our political leaders that they will pursue dialog over division, and I know that the Philippines will certainly win with our words. Thank you.

As we celebrate the legacy of Binibining Pilipinas, let me ask you, if you gain the crown tonight, what legacy do you hope to share and be remembered for as a Binibining Pilipinas queen?

Bb. 32 Aurora Province, Carmella Cuaresma: Well, the legacy that I will leave here is my own unique story coming from the province of Aurora province, trying here, transitioning to province life to city life. And I'm here trying my best to be in the service and to be part of this humanitarian action Binibining Pilipinas as a part of this humanitarian mission of Binibining Pilipinas. 

If you could have a conversation with any past Binibini winner, who would it be? And what advice would you seek from her?

Bb. 11 Caloocan, Kim de Luna: It would probably Samantha Bernardo. To be honest, she has taken a huge part of my life joining Binibining Pilipinas, and it took me 27 years preparing myself, knowing my story and my core values, bringing up to the stage. As a woman of action, I'm inspired to do the same with my fellow Filipino as a Philippine Air Force Reserve and the youth director of Young Men's Christian Association. My main mission is to uplift and inspire the young generation to believe in their own capability and wherever this crown will bring me, I am surely ready for my destiny. Thank you. 

Where did you spend your childhood? How did your experience there shape your identity?

Bb. 25 Negros Occidental, Kara Villarosa: I spent most of my childhood at home, and that has shaped me to the woman I am right now, because it taught me to be myself. As a Binibini. I think it's very important to stay true to yourself, your Filipino values because I believe that, because I stayed true to my core, I am a reflection of a true Binibini, and that is a woman of purpose, a woman of grit, and a woman of legacy. Thank you.

In an ever-changing world, what is one thing you wish will stay the same and why?

Bb. 10 Zambales, Christal dela Cruz: It would be being empathetic with one another. Because if we have empathy, nothing bad will happen. Adversities will never face because kindness will always stay true. And that is something that we need to do, that is what we need—to always have a heart for everyone. Thank you.

If you could invite any historical figure to be a judge at this pageant's 60th-year celebration. Who would it be, and what unique perspective do you hope he or she will bring?

Bb. 14 Calamba, Laguna, Vienne Feucht: You know what? I actually wish Simone de Beauvoir to be here. She may not be alive right now, but she is the most influential historical figure to me. Because, as an advocate of violence against anti-violence against women and children, she has opened my eyes that we women have the most right to be powerful, because we can lead an entire army. And I want her to see the strong women versions in this generation. Thank you very much.

If you were given 30 minutes to talk to the public, what would you talk about?

Bb. 21 Pampanga, Jasmine Bungay: I would be given 30 minutes to talk to the public, I would like to talk about the passing of the SOGIE bill, because in this in celebration such as pageant, this community has contributed so much. And in this regard, we can give back to them by supporting this cause because as an individual, it is our responsibility that we ensure that everyone is treated equally, despite their SOGIE. Thank you.

If a time machine brings you back to 1964, 60 years ago when Binibining Pilipinas began, what message would you tell the Filipino women of that time about the women of 2024?

Bb. 40 Abra, Myrna Esguerra: I will tell them to the women of the past that we have achieved our goal, which is to empower women, standing here at the age of 17, I started to finance for my own studies and help my family financially. I was able to do this by all those women who paved the way to empower us to always reach for our goals, no matter what it is. Because in life, we can all achieve our dreams as long as we believe that we can and thanks to them all. Thank you.

What role does pageantry play in this current era of social media, that offers instant access to all forms of entertainment and information?

Bb. 22 Bacolod City, Tracy Sunio: As we all know, beauty pageants are very... a lot of people watch beauty pageants because it's a celebration of beauty and different cultures. And with this big platform such as Binibining Pilipinas, we can easily, we can easily share our advocacies. vocacies and factual information, to the people, especially those who are watching. Because what we need now is a collaborative effort for everyone to be together.

A candidate has to devote time in joining this competition, how well have you managed your time and balance your other life duties with the demand of this pagent?

Bb. 30 Pili, Laguna, Trisha Martinez: I am a licensed dentist. I'm also a business owner and a Binibini for the second time around, and so I reclaim my destiny tonight. How I manage my time? I got it from my purpose. I got it from my heart. I really want to contribute to the 60 amazing, glorious years of Binibining Pilipinas, and that's what and that's how I manage my time with the demands of Binibini and I am ready. After all, that's been the I aspire to be with the heart, and dignity for the community. Thank you.

The "Piliin mo ang Pilipinas" challenge has a viral trend on social media. What is that one thing about the country that will always make you choose the Philippines?

Bb. 20 General Santos City, Shannen Manzano: The Filipina. We Binibinis are the most precious gem or diamond the Philippines have, because I do believe we are a representation of resilience, power, and victory of authenticity, that we are the voice, the mind, and the soul of each and every voiceless youth that could be there. And I know that the Binibini is the most precious gem the Philippines could have.

A study has found the Philippines to laugh the most on a certain social media platform. What has made you laugh recently?

Bb. 1 Baguio, Marikit Manaois: Oh, you know what? I'm really a bubbly person, and I'm so genuine. I'm so grateful that any simple joke can even make me laugh. And I think that it's it really, it greatly reflects my personality as a person. I am a grateful person, I'm very appreciative of anything, and I think that we should be the same. I think that if each and everyone of us are appreciative, then not just the things that we see will change, but how we see things will also change. Thank you.