Missosology-Philippines: BINIBINIS in INTERVIEW

Binibinis during the Interview Round

The interview portion is perhaps the highlight of any beauty pageant. It is indeed a "break it" or "make it" situation for each of the finalist as both judges & spectators play the role of Gods in testing their wit, character and intelligence. Check out the thoughts, opinions & statements of our Filipina beauties. Do these answers make sense? Is it true that our binibinis are still stuck and hooked on delivering pageant-patty and rehearsed answers? We've only gathered a few but you may also add unforgettable answers of our captivating Binibinis.

Bb. Pilipinas 2000

How would you pursue your dreams and ambitions and become succesful
in the fast-changing world of the new millenium?

Nina Ricci Alagao
"That shouldn't be difficult for someone who's very receptive to new ideas.
I guess I have to be on the lookout for what is new and always be on guard
for things to come because just when you thought technology was at
its peak, there's more to come."

Katherine Annwen de Guzman
"Training my self to be disciplined, to work hard in my education
will help get me to the success that I would want to be."

Joanna Marie Peñalosa
"The best way to cope up with things is to always remember the basics.
Love one another and be true to one's self because amidst all these
technologies, and globalization we always tend to forget who we
really are and what our purpose is. If you don't have nothing
inside, there's no use for it. Your education is your future."

Bb. Pilipinas 2001

What do you think has been the most significant difference between the Filipino woman then and now?

Zorayda Ruth Andam
"The Filipino women then were demure, quite reserved. Now the Filipino women
are more responsible and dynamic. We have women who are now actively
involved in politics and business. And I am happy to say that they are
doing a lot in uplifting the economy of the Philippines."

Gilreah Quinzon
"The women today are more career oriented compared to the woman of the past."

Maricarl Tolosa
"Filipino women today are more proactive, independent, responsible, have a good
vision in life, and are confident enough to face the challenges of the world."

Bb. Pilipinas 2002

In this day and age what meaning does a beauty title have for a woman?

Karen Loren Agustin
"In this day and age, I believe that a beauty title is also very important.
As a beauty queen, she plays a great influence to everyone and
through that she can be a role model for everyone... to be a
model to the countries and all the women in the world."

Katherine Anne Manalo
"I believe having a beauty pageant is a good opportunity for women. Having this
pageant is a good platform for women to develop their God given talents.
At the same time, it is also the winner's opportunity to help our less
fortunate brother and sisters, which is the mission-vision
of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities."

Kristine Alzar
"I think that the meaning of beauty title to a woman is life because
with a beauty title a woman is given a wide opportunity to extend
herself to people. And when we extend ourselves to people,
we give importance to life."

Gloria Diaz (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1969, Miss Universe '69)
Miss Universe 1969 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA

TOP 10 INTERVIEW

Bob: “Now, Miss Philippines is Gloria Diaz. She’s a student taking a business course and she has two brothers and nine sisters. My! That’s a big family!”
Gloria: “Yes it is.” (beaming)
Bob: “Is it fun having so many brothers and sisters?”
Gloria: “It really doesn’t make a difference. I mean, it’s just like a small family, I think.”
Bob: “How can it be like a small family when there’s so many of you?”
Gloria: “Well, everybody goes through in his or her own ways. They just come back during lunch, dinner and breakfast.”
Bob: “You’re just there at mealtime.”
Gloria: “Yeah”.
Bob: “I’ll tell you what, Gloria. Our interview is planned. Here you are on television with this live audience. Let’s see, can you name your nine brothers and two sisters --- or nine sisters and two brothers?
Gloria: “Oh yes! (smiling) Alphabetically or according to rank?” (the audience started laughing)
Bob: “ I think they’re all mixed up. Go ahead!”
At this point, Gloria started to name all her siblings when somewhere along her chronological answer, she paused for a second and almost forgot Aurora’s (one of her sister’s) name. But then, she recovered very quickly and continued to finish her answer. Bob said, “Very good! But when you get home, apologize to Aurora, won’t you? You dismissed that one, almost. Thank you, Miss Philippines!”

TOP 5 INTERVIEW

Bob: “In the next day or so, a man will land on the moon. If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?”
Gloria: “Oh! Uh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been on the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess.”

*Complete account at Missosology~Philippines' Gloria Diaz Story

Maria Margarita Moran (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1973, Miss Universe '73)
Miss Universe 1973 in Athens, Greece

TOP 10 INTERVIEW

BOB: “So here’s Miss Philippines who does know English.” (He was relating to the audience what had just transpired earlier in his interview with Miss Argentina who didn’t speak any English at all.) “Your name is?”
Margie: “Margarita Moran”.
Bob Barker: “What would you like to do, Margarita?
Margie: “Later?” (Sounding a little bit perplexed about the question.)
Bob: “Yes, as a job?”
Margie: “Uh, I’d like to be a banker.” (The way she uttered the word, “banker” sounded like, “bunker”.)
Bob: “A banker? Why a banker?”
Margie: “Well, uh, first, I’d like to follow my father’s footsteps because he’s a banker (this time, she pronounced the word correctly) and, uh, besides that, I’m taking up a course in Business Administration which courses in banking and finance (the way she said “finance” was like “fee-nuns” but was still acceptable) and I like counting money.”
Bob: “You like counting money?”
Margie: (Smiled and nodded in agreement.)
Bob: “What will you do with the Ten Thousand Dollars if you win the Miss Universe Pageant?”
Margie: Uh, I’ll invest it . . . uh, probably I’ll build a hotel.”
Bob: “A hotel?”
Margie: “Yes and I’ll run the business and my sister will manage it because she’s taking up Business---uh, Hotel Management in school.”
Bob: “You know, I’ve made a discovery. (He was addressing the audience at this point.) This girl could be the Onassis of the Philippines before she’s through. Thank you very much, Miss Philippines!”

TOP 5 INTERVIEW

Bob: “Let’s make believe that all of a sudden . . . well, this is a perfect question for her! (addressing the audience) Let’s make believe that all of a sudden you had a million dollars. (The audience was laughing and reacting when Bob said this due to the parallel relation of Margie’s prior interview with him that dealt on the subject of “money management”.) What’s the first thing you would buy and why would you buy it?”
Margie: “A house and lot because it’s the most important thing and I can’t afford it. If I had a million bucks, I’d buy a house and lot and live by myself and other people, of course.” (At this point, she started to sound very nervous but still managed to maintain her composure.)

BOB: “Thank you, Miss Philippines!”

Complete account at Missosology~Philippines' Margarita Moran Story

Maria Isabel Lopez (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1982)
Rita Gomez (judge): "Here's your question, hija: Are you still a virgin? "
Isabel: "If I say I still am, can I bring home the crown tonight? "
Rita: "Good answer!"
Isabel: "What about you Ma'am, are you still a virgin?"
Rita: "Hija.... I have 5 children with 5 different fathers, what do you call that, Immaculate Conception???"

Desiree Verdadero (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1984, Miss Universe '84 3rd Runner-up)
Top 10 Interview
Bob Barker: "Miss Philippines is a model back in her country. Can you tell us about your job?"
Desiree: "Modeling is not an easy job, and it’s not a stable job."
Bob: "You have to be unstable to be a model?"
Desiree: "I have lots of friends who are designers. So, if they want to get me, they will get me!"
Bob: "Do they get you often? "
Desiree: "Uhhh, Yes!"
Bob: "So, you don’t need an agent? "
Desiree: (pauses) “No!”

Carla Gay Balingit (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2003)
Question: "If you were to speak to the world about a message of peace, what would it be & why?"
Carla: "Peace is not just about arms and warfare. I would just like to share to the world the words of St. Theresa of Calcutta: 'The fruit of prayer is silence, the fruit of silence is faith, the fruit of faith is hope, and the fruit of hope is love, unity and peace."

Maricar Balagtas (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2004)
Question: "If you become the President of this country, what do you want to achieve for the country in one year?"
Maricar: "If I become a president, I will pass a bill that would give equal and and nice education for children. Education is the key to success. The power of the nation can only be obtained by educating the masses."

Miriam Quiambao (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1999, Miss Universe '99 1st runner-up)
Miss Universe '99 Pageant in Trinidad & Tobago

Final Question: If Miss Universe were to become pregnant during her reign, should she be allowed to continue as Miss Universe?
Miriam: "It's a very difficult situation to be in and ah, ah, I believe that if Miss Universe, if ever she becomes pregnant, I believe that she should continue with her reign if she has been a good example to be a Miss Universe, if she has pursued all the… all the goals that she has, that she had, in the first place. And I believe that she should continue."

Noela Mae "Ella" Evangelista (Bb. Pilipinas '03 2nd runner-up, Queen of Tourism International)
Queen of Tourism International beauty pageant in Cancun Mexico

Final Question: "Describe your country in 20 seconds."
Ella: "The Philippines is composed of 7,107 tropical islands with its multi-cultural people living side by side. And I think I have very well represented my country tonight when I fell on the floor and stood up. I have stood up not only for myself but also for my country."

Top 5 Query: "What would be the one thing that you would do in Mexico that would surely make you end up in trouble in the Philippines?"
Ella: "Becoming a Mexican driver. Because Mexican drivers drive crazy, they don't follow traffic rules, they drive even when the stop sign is on, and they don't use signal lights and horns. So if I would do that in the Philippines I would end up in prison."

Top 10 Query: "How would you describe herself and what values will you teach the children and the world?"
Ella: "I am simple, very Filipina both in values and at heart. I would teach the children of the world the values of religion and morality, and, since we are all in the age of war, the values of love and peace."

Ruffa Gutierrez (Bb. Pilipinas World 1993, Miss World '93 2nd Princess)
Miss World 1993 in Sun City, South Africa

Top 10 Interview: What will you do if you win Miss World?
Ruffa: "If I'll win Miss World tonight, I'll be the happiest person on earth. Definitely, it would change me in many ways but my sentiments for my family, friends and fans would still remain the same."

TOP 5 Interview: Vanessa Williams (judge): "What would you tell a young lady who is suffering from low self-esteem to feel better about herself?
Ruffa: "Well, I'd tell her to believe in herself because it's not only physical beauty that's important but also inner beauty. Like what the Little Prince said, what is essential is invisible to the naked eye and I believe that character and personality are far more important than physical beauty."

Maria Rafaela Yunon (Bb. Pilipinas World '03, Miss World '03 Top 5 Finalist)
Miss World 2003 in Sanya China

Angela Chow (host): What values do you have that you hope the judges will recognize?
Mafae: "One of the qualities that I have is that I look at life positively. My motto in life is ‘Time plus productivity equals success.’ I hope they will see that in me through my relationship with the candidates and the people I met here in Sanya."

Maria Karla Bautista (Bb. Pilipinas World 2004, Miss World '04 Top 5 Finalist)
Miss World 2003 in Sanya China

Angela Chow: "What is your favorite moment in this competition?"
Karla: 'Tat ya hao, wor hen gao shing'! The favorite moment that I had in this competition would be the moments I had spent with the girls, particularly when we're in the bus chatting and singing 'cause in this contest, I've learned the importance of friendship. We are different girls with different backgrounds, different languages and different cultures, aside from that we were able to build great friendship. 'Hsie Hsie!'