The two Binibining Pilipinas 2023 titleholders gave impressive answers during the pageant's question and answer portion.
Bb. Pilipinas International 2023 Angelica Lopez paid tribute to her mom, who passed away four years ago.
Meanwhile, Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2023 Anna Valencia Lakrini talked about her advocacy.
The judge assigned to asked the two ladies was Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan.
The politician's question to the Bb. Palawan was: "What makes you a binibini who walks the talk and who is beyond mere self-promotion?"
BB. #6 ANGELICA LOPEZ'S WINNING ANSWER:
“I stand here tonight because it is my mother who instilled in me the values and the morals that I am using to be the woman that I am today—a woman who has the strength, courage, and tenacity; the strength to decide for herself—what she wants, really works hard to achieve it.
"To also have the courage to face any obstacles of life and tenacity to hold on to her wisdom of choice.
"And I believe, it is always a dream come true to be here, and that is why I am the Binibini that I am always meant to be. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Honey's question to the rep of Bataan was: "In what ways is a beauty pageant candidate aiming for a crown similar to a politician running for an electoral post?"
BB. #24: ANNA VALENCIA LAKRINI'S WINNING ANSWER
"As someone who’s joining for the second time, I know that a beauty pageant has a platform, which we can talk about causes that are dear to our heart.
"My cause that is dear to my heart is nutrition, and as a nutritional scientist, as an advocate for proper nutrition, I know in advocating for this platform for Bb. Pilipinas, we can inspire so many people and a politician can inspire our whole community, and so can we."
Piolo Pascual was the judge who asked Katrina Anne Johnson, who represented Davao del Sur.
The actor's question: "What are you most unapologetic for when it comes to your personal values?"
READ Angelica Lopez, Anna Valencia Lakrini claim Binibining Pilipinas 2023 crowns
BB. # 33 KATRINA ANNE JOHNSON'S WINNING ANSWER
"What I’m most unapologetic for is my authenticity, my honesty, my sincerity.
"My parents really instilled those values into me at a young age, showing me that you can accomplish anything in the world that you put your mind to, as long as you’re loyal to who you are and who you are in your heart.
"And I truly hope that I am able to inspire other people, standing on this stage, showing you that you may not fit the societal norm, if you are who you are, then you are able to show that to the world. Thank you.”
Josh Cullen of SB 19 was tasked to ask Bb. General Trias, Cavite Atasha Parani : "Social media definitely creates engagement in pageantry. However, some observe that these are shallow and non-lasting connections. What are your thoughts in this social situation we are facing now?"
BB. #16 ATASHA PARANI'S WINNING ANSWER
"As a public figure and as someone from ABS-CBN who gives service to the Filipino, what I believe is that in social media, it’s not just connection, but as well engagement and touching other people’s lives with the heart that you have. A heart of gold.
"And for me, my advocacy is for the children. The children who have been domestically abused. And if I were to imagine, to inspire them and see that younger self of mine in the mirror every single day, then I would do it another time.
"Like it’s my ultimate last chance. And I just really want to show everyone that with social media and every platform, you can still move people and the world. Thank you."
THE REST OF BB. PILIPINAS 2023 Q AND A PORTION
Here's the transcript of the other candidates' answers.
BB. #38 LEA MACAPAGAL (BATAAN)
Presidential son William Vincent Marcos asked: "At a time when pageant candidates pursue different advocacies, Bb. 38, my question for you is, did you choose your advocacy or did your advocacy choose you and why did you say so?"
Lea's answer: “I grew up with the underprivileged, marginalized sector in Dinalupihan, Bataan, which is our Indigenous People, Aetas. I grew up with them, I played with them, I even went to the same school with them. I even supported their education by producing laptops with the help of our LGU.
"And this advocacy did not choose me because up until now, they work in a construction company.
"The Indigenous People of Bataan is the heart and soul of my construction family, and I am proud about it. Thank you.”
BB. #29 TRISHA MARTINEZ (LAGUNA)
Dolly de Leon asked: "My question is actually a very popular slogan these days. Bb. 29, what truly wins to you, is it love or character?"
Trisha's answer: "As the youngest member of the family, I have very loving parents. My siblings, ate and kuyas, have instilled the value of love in me. So, I was told that the world would hurt me, but I learned that in all aspects of life, we have to choose love.
"And I have learned that my love will always be bigger than all things even if the world is hurting me. So I will choose love. Thank you."
BB. #36 MARY CHILES BALANA (HERMOSA, BATAAN)
Wolfgang's Steakhouse President and Managing Partner Peter Zwiener asked: "Many observe we live in a polarized society now. Bb. 36, do you think it is appropriate or polarizing for a beauty queen to express her views?"
Mary's answer: “As a beauty queen, as a queen who stands in front of you, everyone, it is important for a beauty queen to express her views.
"A queen must know how to stand on her grounds and be able to express herself because it’s true understanding [of] what’s going on in our society that we would be able to know what to do.
"And that should come [from] us queens and [from] our leaders in our country. So again, for me, it is important that we could express our own political views without being harmed. Thank you."
READ Maja Salvador’s sister Jessilen Salvador makes it to Binibining Pilipinas 2023
Bb. #15 Jessilen Salvador (Aklan)
Miss International 2022 Jasmin Selberg asked: "In what ways have you been kind in yourself and maintained happiness in your personal space amid the challenges of joining a beauty pageant?"
Jessilen's answer: "As I have said before, I joined Binibining Pilipinas to conquer my fear.
"To be in this very stage and the kindness that I gave and I’ve gained in this pageant is that I have a sisterhood that’s always been there for me.
"And then, you know, that sisterhood in Bb. Pilipinas really matters and up until the end, they will really matter and they will always be there for you no matter what happens. Thank you.”
Bb. #11 Kiaragiel Gregorio (Nueva Ecija)
Philippine Tatler's Editor-in-Chief Anton San Diego asked: "A beauty queen said it in an interview that removing the age requirement in beauty pageants may delay a pageant’s hopes in pursuing her dream. What are your thoughts in this?"
Kiaragiel's answer: "Honestly, I don’t see anything wrong with increasing age limits within pageantry. This is because as women, we are here to be of service of the people in front of us and the people that we can inspire and be of hope to.
"And becoming a beauty queen, we are able to inspire a lot of people and be a vector of hope in order to pursue our advocacies.
"For example, I aim to pursue my advocacy in inspiring humanity in choosing equality and in stronger institutions within. Thank you.”
Bb. #14 Jeanne Bilasano (Albay)
First Pinoy Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz asked: "As a beauty athlete, you go [through] a lot of hard and heavy training to turn you into a total package candidate. How do you balance good health and dieting?
Jeanne's answer: "As a Binibini, it’s important to take care of our body, but, at the same time, I want to add for good body positivity. Because, at the same time, it could be hard for Binibinis to maintain their figure, and I want to tell anybody that no matter what size, shape or figure you are, as long as you’re happy with your body, as long as you’re happy with yourself, that’s the best thing that you could do—to be in a perfect shape. Thank you!"
Bb. #39 Loraine Jara (Bulacan)
Socialite-vlogger Small Laude asked: "The dream of literally becoming a queen can literally be costly or expensive. What are your sentiments on the high cost of expenses a pageant candidate faces when joining a pageant nowadays?"
Loraine's answer: “Good evening. Coming to this pageant, I am weaponless. No experiences. This is my first national pageant. However, I am very happy that I always feel the love and support of my family, the people around me.
"And I am proud to say I pursued this, and I’m very grateful that these people showed their love to me, and through that, I am capable and I am fearless.
"And because of that, I believe that dreams should not be costly because once you become fearless, our dreams become limitless. Salamat po.”
The coronation night took place at Smart Araneta Coliseum on May 28, 2023.