For beauty queens everywhere, bagging the coveted title is the endgame in mind, but landing a spot during the Miss Universe Q&A is a feat in itself. Throughout the pageant’s history, several representatives of the Philippines have successfully reached the nerve-wracking round, lived to tell the tale, and for the fortunate, got the crown in the end.
The Q&A portion of Miss Universe has seen a substantial transformation in its 72 years, ranging from simpler, straightforward questions and responses, to politically-packed queries that have left people to debate. Below, see all the questions given to Filipina Miss Universe finalists, and the answers that made them memorable.
1963 - Lalaine Bennett (Third Runner-Up)
While it wasn’t part of the Q&A itself, Miss Universe 1963 third runner-up Lalaine Bennett highlighted Philippine-American relations in her final speech, starting it off in Filipino.
“Maligayang bati sa inyong lahat. Alam kong ang buong Pilipinas ay ngayo’y nasisiyahan sa gabing ito. As a child, I have always wanted to come, to visit the native land of my grandfather who was one of the first American teachers who came to help educate my people. Through this pageant, my dream has been fulfilled. America has helped the Philippines, taught us how to stand on our own two feet and in 1946, gave us a most wonderful gift, the gift of freedom. For this, I, together with my people, will forever be grateful. Please accept our sincerest thanks, United States of America. Thank you.”
1969 - Gloria Diaz (Miss Universe)
The Question: “In a next day or so, a man will land on the moon. If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?”
The Answer: “Oh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been in the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess.”
1973 - Margie Moran (Miss Universe)
The Question: “Let's make believe that all of a sudden you had a million dollars. What's the first thing you would buy and why would you buy it?”
The Answer: “A house and lot, because it’s the most expensive thing and I can’t afford it. If I had a million bucks, I’d buy a house and lot and live by myself, and other people of course.”
1975 - Rosemarie "Chiqui" Brosas (Fourth Runner-Up)
The Question: “If you become Miss Universe of 1975, what one individual other than your parents would have made the greatest contribution to your success and why?”
The Answer: “Well, I think it would be the judges, because they were the ones who voted for me if I won Miss Universe.”
1980 - Chat Silayan (Third Runner-Up)
The Question: “If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you select and why?”
The Answer: “I have no one in particular but I would want to meet somebody who’s involved in politics, or in ruling or running a government. Let’s say, a nation, whether it’s small or big, I would like to meet him and get to talk to him.”
1984 - Desiree Verdadero (Third Runner-Up)
The Question: “Should you be the new Miss Universe, you'll become a symbol to young women and girls all over the world. What would you like to tell them?”
The Answer: “All I want to tell them is, being Miss Universe is a pride and I’d like to spread peace and goodwill to all nations, that’s all.”
1996 - Charlene Gonzales (Top 6 Finisher)
The Question: “If you could be a fictional film or literary character, who would you be and why?”
The Answer: “I think I would be Superwoman because she helps a lot of people, she’s very fun, and she’s a dynamic person who does many deeds for our world.”
1999 - Miriam Quiambao (First Runner-Up)
The Question: “If Miss Universe were to become pregnant during her reign, should she be allowed to continue as Miss Universe?”
The Answer: “That’s a very difficult situation to be in, and I believe that Miss Universe, if ever she becomes pregnant, I believe she should continue with her reign if she has been a good example to be a Miss Universe, if she has pursued all the goals that she had in the first place, and I believe that she should continue.”
2010 - Venus Raj (Fourth Runner-Up)
The Question: “What is one big mistake you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?”
The Answer: “In my 22 years of existence, there is nothing major, major problem that I have done in my life, because I am very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me.”
2011 - Shamcey Supsup (Third Runner-Up)
The Question: “Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the person you love? Why or why not?”
The Answer: “If I had to change my religious beliefs, I would not marry the person that I love because the first person that I love is God, who created me, and I have my faith and my principles and this is what makes me who I am. And if that person loves me, he should love my God too.”
2012 - Janine Tugonon (First Runner-Up)
The Question: “As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English should be a prerequisite to being Miss Universe? Why or why not?”
The Answer: “For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language, it's being able to influence and inspire other people. Whatever language you have, as long as your heart is deserving and you have a strong mind to show to people, then you can be Miss Universe.”
2013 - Ariella Arida (Third Runner-Up)
The Question: “What can be done about the lack of jobs for people starting their careers around the world?”
The Answer: “For the people who have lack of jobs, I do believe that we, people, should invest in education and that is my primary advocacy. Because we all know that if every one of us is educated and well aware of what we are doing, we could land into jobs and good careers in the future. Education is a primary source and it’s a ticket for a better future.”
2015 - Pia Wurtzbach (Miss Universe)
The Question: “Why should you be the next Miss Universe?”
The Answer: “To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and a responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth, and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness, that is timely and relevant to my country, which is the Philippines. I want to show the world—the universe, rather—that I am confidently beautiful with a heart.”
2016 - Maxine Medina (Top Six Finisher)
The Question: “What is the most significant change you’ve seen in the world in the last 10 years?”
The Answer: “The last 10 years of being here in the world is that I saw all the people being in one event like this in Miss Universe, and it’s something big to us that we are one, as one nation, we are all together.”
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2018 - Catriona Gray (Miss Universe)
The Question: “What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life, and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?”
The Answer: “I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila, and the life there is very poor and very sad. I’ve always taught myself to look for the beauty in it, to look for the beauty in the faces of the children, and to be grateful. I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. If I could teach also people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their face. Thank you.”
2021 - Beatrice Gomez (Top Five Finisher)
The Question: “Given the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, what is your opinion on mandating a universal vaccine passport?”
The Answer: “I believe that public health is everyone's responsibility and to mandate vaccine inoculation is necessary. If mandating a vaccine passport will help us in regulating the roll-outs of vaccines and mitigate the situation of the pandemic today, then I would agree on mandating the necessary passport on vaccinations.”
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