Binibining Pilipinas 2025 Question and Answer round

MANILA, Philippines – The Top 14 Binibining Pilipinas 2025 candidates got the chance to showcase their wit at the pageant’s Question and Answer segment on Sunday, June 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Each candidate was given 30 seconds to respond to questions from different judges. Here’s how they answered:

Jercy Raine Cruz, Makati

Than Thuy: The Philippines is the best performing Asian country in Miss International. What makes Filipinas excel in this pageant?

Philippines is the powerhouse of pageant not just in Miss International, but also in different pageant. And I think what makes the Filipinos unique is their authenticity. If you talk to any Filipino right now, you could feel their heart. And I do believe that in this world, what goes around comes around. So if we let kindness go around in this world, it will definitely strike the heart of a lot of people and it will become a domino effect that everyone would like to share kindness.

Joanne Marie Thornley, Pampanga

Francis Libiran: With the crown and title of a beauty queen comes a long list of duties and responsibilities. If you win tonight, what duty will you focus on first and accomplish forthwith?

I believe that a beauty queen does not only wear a crown on her head, but also a heart on her sleeve. And so I believe that I have always put the care of other people first before me. Because I believe a true queen is someone who is able to possess the qualities of being able to inspire, of being able to lead, and I hope to do that for the children who have always been there for me. And I hope to show them that there is always, always beauty in being able to dream.

Alyssa Mildred Villariña, Rizal

Alice Dixson: In what ways do you think Gen Z beauty queens are different from boomer beauty queens?

Regardless of what generation we belong to, as beauty queens I believe we are all purpose-driven. However, we, the Gen Z beauty queens, are socially aware and it’s all thanks to technology. And as beauty queens we should maximize our potential to share our knowledge and expertise to all generations regardless if you’re a boomer, millennial, or Gen Z. Especially on the younger generations because we all want the Philippines, and the Filipinos, to prosper.

Ma. Andrea Endico, Quezon Province

Lala Sotto: Many parents are very much concerned about what children are exposed to online. What do you think is the best way to protect young minds in today’s potentially harmful digital content?

Family is the most basic unit of a society, and a children’s future starts with whatever is happening inside the family. So for the parents around here and around the world, always guide your children. You are the first teachers out there. So within you is the future of the whole world.

Francesca Beatriz Abalajon, Aklan

Diana Moreno: It’s Father’s Day today. What is one quality you [inherited] from your father that has helped you as a candidate of Binibining Pilipinas?

I grew up with a single mother. I did not have a father figure in my life. And my mom played a huge role in my upbringing. She is my father. She taught me to be empowered, to be confident, and to be independent. Now with this experience I can definitely say that mothers, too, can lead anyone, any family. And to my mom, to all the single mothers out there, Happy Father’s Day.

Jemille Zosa, Mandaluyong

Alice Dixson: The Philippines celebrated its 127th Independence Day last week. As a beauty queen, how can you help honor the independence our heroes fought for?

As a beauty queen, we must nurture our history and for that people we fought for our freedom that we have now. And I think as a beauty queen, we must be able to stand on our own and to face our fears just as our national heroes did.

Anna Carres de Mesa, Batangas

Dr. Ralph delas Alas: Pride Month celebrates love, identity, and equality. How can beauty queens help make society more inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community?

I strongly believe that tonight is a celebration of all LGBTQIA+ community. They are the ones who molded us to be here. They are our makeup artists, our hairstylists, our designers. So I would just like to say thank you. Thank you for being there for us and for us beauty queens, let us stand up for them. Because if it is not for them, we would not be here.

Dalia Varde Khattab, Las Piñas

Francis Libiran: If you could design an outfit that represents your life story, how would it look and what elements would it include?

It would include the stories of everyone that has helped me along my journey, as an actress, a start-up businesswoman and now a representation of each and every single one of you. I hope that with your stories I could bring it to the Miss International stage, we could make a difference and we could win our sixth Miss International crown.

Annabelle Mae McDonnell, Iligan City

Ralph delas Alas: A woman was seen emerging out of a drainage recently. If you could spend time with her, what insights or lessons do you wish to gain from the circumstances that led to her life condition?

Speaking as someone who experienced involuntary hunger and malnourishment at the age of 15, I say that I wish you never go hungry another night. I think that when you hit rock bottom, don’t despair and don’t use that as your identity. But rather, use rock bottom as your launchpad. I have done exactly that, I have sold bread, I sold ukay-ukay clothes and all the more rackets just to survive and support my family. You can do it, as long as you believe in the beauty of your dreams.

Kathleen Enid Espenido, Siargao

Alice Dixson: Many are scared that AI, or artificial intelligence, will soon take over jobs. Would you trust AI to judge a beauty pageant? Why or why not?

I wouldn’t trust AI to judge a beauty pageant. AI is a powerful tool, and it’s humanity that gives it purpose. I think that it should enhance our lives and not destroy it. We should use AI to be able to uplift and really give opportunities to people. But after all, this is my reminder to everyone: that compassion, integrity, and human connection are more important than…

Maria Alexandra Mata, Tarlac Province

Than Thuy: The internet provides access to pageant fans around the world, but has also made the environment become toxic. How can beauty queens restore harmony among pageant fans?

As a beauty queen, this platform is really essential for us to make a voice for the people. And, I would use my platform to inspire other people, especially and the youth, to take part [in] important actions, to make the world a better place.

 Jerimi Nuqui, Caloocan City 

Francis Libiran: A recent study showed a very low functional literacy rates among Filipino students. What aspect of your beauty queen training could possibly improve students’ performance? 

As a beauty queen and as a spokesperson, I can use real, on-the-ground solution on these problems. I can create and provide students and promote teaching to support the students and provide for their funds so they can help. And, they can also build educational…As a beauty queen with a purpose I believe I can support real, on-the-ground solution by promoting the students and showcasing and partnering with local government units for them to provide a good and quality education because every child deserves that chance.

Mia Betina Golosino, Malabon City

Ms. Diana Moreno: As a young woman and potential role model, how will you help your generation become more discerning viewers of online content?

I am an ate (older sister) to three siblings. I’m the panganay (eldest child). So, I’ve had experience raising them to be responsible people. I learn from my parents who are role models to me and I want them to understand that what you see online may not always be true. I want them to understand where they can find the right sources of information, so that the information they absorb is correct, because our children are not only our future. Our children are also the force of today and that is why we must act now to ensure that they use the internet responsibly.

Katrina Anne Johnson, Davao

Lala Sotto: Lies told a thousand times become the truth. What is your reaction to this statement now that fake news pollutes and corrupts our society more than ever? 

Well, I think social media and the internet is such a blessing to all of us…because it allows us to create a community online with people from all around the world. But, yes, fake news is a rampant issue nowadays, and to be honest with you, I think the best way we can combat that is to make sure that we are educating people on how to discern information. We need to be aware, we need to regulate, and make our online communities a safe space for everyone.

– with reports from Mikay Tormon and Angela Divina/Rappler.com

Mikay Tormon is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Minor in Sociology at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Angela Divina is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the Ateneo de Manila University.