QUEZON City, Philippines (January 30) – The Question and Answer portion is the most crucial part of any pageant which is why it makes sense that it is also the toughest. The trend nowadays for beauty pageants is to focus not only on the contestants’ beauty but on their intelligence as well. As such, winning a beauty pageant is not a walk in the park. Many contestants have met their downfall with the nerve-wracking Q and A portion!
Another pageant history for the Philippines is year 2010 after Venus Raj joined the top 5 finalists of the 59th Miss Universe pageant. After the 1st runner-up win of Miriam Quiambao last Miss Universe 1999, we never got into the top 5 again for a decade, until Venus Raj ended the drought and placed as the Fourth Runner Up. She was known for her beautiful body and charming smile. But what could be the problem about her on not winning the pageant? I think we all know the answer.
It is the infamous “Major major…”! Venus herself said that she already knew that she will not get the crown after answering like that. But did you know that on her recent interview, she said that she could have slayed the Q and A portion if she just used her native language. She also really wanted an interpreter that time, since she is not really eloquent in speaking English.
With the 2016 Miss Universe Coronation upon us, our very own Maxine Medina faces the criticisms of bashers who focus on her communication skills. From the beginning, Maxine was already criticized on her answer on the Q and A portion of Binibining Pilipinas last year. She didn’t do well answering the question, but she ended up winning the title of Miss Universe – Philippines. And recently on her press conference interview, Maxine is undeniably nervous while facing the interviewers. It seems like she is not that comfortable speaking the English language in front of such a big crowd.
Maxine wanted to get an interpreter for the upcoming coronation since she already knew that she cannot fully express herself in English. Her friends – including Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner Up Ariella Arida – supports her decision to have an interpreter. Ariella Arida herself suffered from criticisms because of her oral communication skills. But then, she ended up answering the question cleverly, and made it into the 3rd place.
Past Miss Universe candidates were also interviewed about Maxine’s plan of getting an interpreter. They only have that one perspective that: we are Filipino. And we should not hesitate speaking with our native tongue, since this is our first language. Also, her Q and A trainer said in an interview that whatever can make Maxine comfortable, they will give it to her.
There is no official announcement on Maxine’s having an interpreter on the coronation. But the only sure thing is that she will give us a good fight.
Update: Miss Philippines Maxine Medina made it to the Top 6 of the 2016 Miss Universe. She made use of an interpreter to understand the question but answered in English.
(written by Francis Albuen, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)