The Top 5 candidates of Miss Universe Philippines 2024 are one step away from bringing home the much-coveted crown from the most prestigious pageant in the country.
But right after they got in the Top 5 round, they went straight to the Question And Answer Portion to show who among them can give the best answer and maintain grace under pressure.
Check out how Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, Tarah Mae Valencia of Baguio, Stacey Gabriel of Cainta, Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan, and Christi McGarry of Taguig gave the winning answer.
QUEZON PROVINCE
Question: Women learn from each other. What is the biggest lesson that you've learned from another woman, and how did it improve your life?
Quezon Province: My grandmother put me through school. And the biggest lesson I have learned from her is to always be kind. She is someone who has a big heart and took care of me since I was a kid. And I do think that my grandmother is someone that I can look up to. She is someone that is an embodiment of what a great woman is.
BAGUIO
Question: What is your breakthrough or big achievement and how did it improve you as a person?
Baguio: Being here in this prestigious pageant or the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 is my greatest achievement. The Tarah before is someone who doesn't really limit... Ay, who really limit herself or it's her achievements... Where I, to step here in this Miss Universe Philippines and I see the transformation, the improvement, and how I was able to become an inspirational woman that I am now. And that is something that I will be proud of after this journey.
CAINTA
Question: Women have admired you all throughout your life. Now, tell us about how you have inspired another woman.
Cainta: You know, I've been told many times that I am too short to join a beauty pageant. But now I realize that pageant are a representation, a reflection of that very nation. And tonight, I am not only representing myself, but every Filipino woman sees themselves in me. I hope to inspire every Filipina that just like Miss Universe, we too are limitless.
BULACAN
Question: You are beautiful and confident. How have you used these qualities to empower others?
Bulacan: As a woman of color, I've always faced challenges in my life.
I was told that beauty has matter actually. But for me, I have listened to always believe in my mother, to always believe in yourself, uphold the vows that you have in yourself. Because of these, I am already influencing a lot of women who are facing me right now as a transformational woman. I have here 52 other delegates with me who helped me to become the woman I am today.
TAGUIG
Question: What is the biggest challenge you face as a Filipino woman, and what do you do to hurdle the challenge?
Taguig: I think one of the biggest challenges that Filipinos face today are being limited by still being shadowed by a portion of the men or society. But I think my platform and me standing here in front of you today, I can encourage women that you too can stand up, you can be strong, you can be powerful, you can own your own destiny, like I plan to tonight.