Binibining Pilipinas 2017 pageant has finally culminated into the finale with the crowning of Rachel Peters as the winner. At the same pageant, Binibini 15 Maria Angelica de Leon was crowned Bb Pilipinas International 2017, Binibini 22 Chanel Olive Thomas was crowned as Bb Pilipinas Supranational 2017, Binibini 39 Elizabeth Durado Clenci was announced as Bb Pilipinas Grand International 2017, Binibini 31 Katarina Sonja Rodriguez was crowned Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental 2017, and Binibini 18 Nelda Ibe was crowned Bb Pilipinas Globe 2017. Binibini 32 Charmaine Elima, and Binibini 40 Kristel Guelos finished as first and second runners-up respectively.

Also Meet the newly crowned Showstars Spain 2017

The pageant started with the introduction of the contestants, and with their grace and poise, the delegates passed through various segments of the finale. But, there were only a few fortunate ones who could crack the Top 15 slot to enter the Q&A round. Based on the Question and Answer segment, the winners for the night were announced.

Let’s take a look at the Question and Answer session of the Top 15 finalists…

Q: What kind of day would describe the best day of your life?

Crista Borja: “It will definitely be this day. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. I’ve been challenged mentally, physically and emotionally. I moved from Great Britain back to the Philippines, left my stable job, my career, and this is what I’m fighting for and this is the best day of my life.”

Q: Is it right for parents to demand suport from children in exchange of raising them?

Sirene Sutton: No answer

Q: What is the definition of a winner?

Katarina Rodriguez: “My definition of a winner is somebody who understands that winning isn’t just because of the real way, it’s because of the responsibility that comes along when you win and how you execute the job after you win. I think a winner is somebody who knows how to inspire others, who inspire and brave and so ever curious.”

Q: What activity that is male-oriented that you can equally do as well if not better than males?

Mariel de Leon: “Well I think I can box better than males. I believe I can do everything better than males because it isn’t about gender at all. It’s about your abilities, your strength, your weaknesses and your confidence within yourself. With that, you can achieve anything.”

Q: If you are caught in a heavy, terribly frustrating traffic, what are the best ways to make your time productive?

Elizabeth Clenci: “If I’m caught in traffic, what I usually do is read and sleep, ‘coz time is of an essence so I feel like when you’re stuck in traffic, you really need to make use of your time. So, I read or I sleep or talk on the phone with a loved one.”

Q: The making of a beauty queen is about transformations. What are the most significant transformation you have gone through in your pursuit to become a beauty queen?

Larah Grace Lacap: “The most significant change I’ve had before joining Binibining Pilipinas is I’m more motivated in what I wanted to do and I am more physically fit than before because I know that what I wanted to do will make me a better person.”

Q: Hidilyn Diaz, an olympic silver medalist exemplifies the physica strength of the Filipina. What kind of strength as a Filipina can you show to the universe?

Kristel Guelos: “As a medical practitioner and as a Binibining Pilipinas candidate, I can show the universe the dedication and passion I am having right now. And that is what I can share to others to become an influence of goodwill and to motivate others to become the best version of themselves.”

Q: This week, the Philippines hosted the ASEAN Summit. If you were invited to speak, what would have been your message to the leaders?

Rachel Peters: “I believe one of the biggest problems that our country is facing today is divisiveness in politics, in religion and also in culture. And I believe that it is something that is the same across the world. And that is something I would want to address. I believe that when people can learn to tolerate each other’s differences and respect each other’s opinions, then we will just be a stronger nation and world.”

Q: What fear do you have that you would like to conquer, and why?

Gabriella Ortega: “The fear that I have that I would like to conquer is the fear to fail. That is something that is happening to me in this journey because I receive so much love from my relatives, so overwhelming. And I thought, oh if I’m going to fail, what’s going to happen? But then I thought, what you have to do is embrace the people that love you because they accept your failures and your achievements in life and here I am in the Top 15.”

Q: What is your view on cursing?

Charmaine Elima: “My view about cursing is something that we should avoid. It is something that other people can hear from the older ones.  The thing that children should not hear because the children follow(s) what the older people say(s).  So for me, my view of cursing is something that we should avoid in our everyday lives so instead of cursing, and that’s negativity, we should be more focused about positivity and promote and embrace life.”

Q: A high percentage of students are being bullied in schools everyday. What is your message to the bullies and their parents?

Maria Camille Manalo: “My message to the bullied students is just no matter what should came from from being bullied, just stand up, prove to them that they’re wrong and then no matter what happen to you, prove to them that you can stand up on your own.  Give them your best shot.”

Q: Death penalty has been a big issue concerning the Philippines in the recent months. Are you for or against death penalty?

Nelda Ibe: “Well, I believe that we should not condemn life.  We are sinners but then, we have to give importance to the life that God has given us. So, my stand is, I am against of it. Because, we should celebrate what God has given us, and that is life.”

Q: Many countries have already legalized same-sex marriage.  Do you think the Philippines should follow?

Chanel Olive Thomas: “As a Christian, I do believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.  However, I do believe that everyone, every single person in the world deserves to be with whoever they want. And if they want to get married, that is fine.”

Q: The Philippines has become a powerhouse in the pageant world.  What do you think are the main reasons that made this possible?

Juliana Kapuendl: “I think the main reason that the Philippines became the powerhouse of pageants is because of resilience.  Like our previous beauty queens, even though they failed on the first time in joining Binibining Pilipinas, they tried second and third time, they emerged victorious not only in our country, but in the whole universe.”

Q: What is the role of a beauty queen in a country that lacks unity?

Jehza Mae Huelar: “I think the role of a beauty queen is not just winning the crown but also to become the voice of the people.  I believe that I can use my voice to the people who are affected by the war in my city and to those who are affected by the earthquake in Mindanao. So I will use my voice to become an influential voice to the other people and it will help unite our people.”

Also Read : Lesser Known facts about Rachel Peters