MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-three years after the Philippines first hosted the Miss Universe pageant, the country has once again taken world spotlight as 86 beautiful women from all over the world visited Manila to compete for the highly coveted title.
Pinay beauty queen and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach passed her title to France’s bet Iris Mittenaere during the grand coronation night of the 65th Miss Universe pageant held on Monday, January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Mittenaere, a 24-year-old Dentistry student, bested 85 other candidates from all over the globe including the country’s bet Maxine Medina who made it to the top six of the competition. The second Miss Universe titleholder from France, Mittenaere ended 63-year drought for France. The country last won the title in 1953 with the victory of Christiane Martel.
Meanwhile, Malacañang congratulated Mittenaere shortly after she was proclaimed the new Miss Universe.
In a statement, the Palace said: "People of France are rejoicing. Truly, this is a proud moment for their country. Iris brought tremendous joy to her people by representing France well on the international stage with her winning grace, regal bearing and inspiring answer.”
Maxine Medina’s response to Q&A earns mixed reactions
Among the Top 6 candidates, Medina was the first to give her response during the question and answer portion. Although Medina has earlier expressed her willingness to get an interpreter after being criticized for having poor English communication skills, Medina chose to give her answer in English.
Her interpreter only translated the question from English to Filipino.
During the top Q&A, Medina was asked: “What is the most significant change you've seen in the world in the last 10 years?”
"In the last 10 years of being here in the world, is that I saw all the people bringing in one event like this, Miss Universe. And it's something big to us that we are one, as one nation we are all together,” Medina said.
Several netizens expressed their dismay after hearing Medina’s response. Others even suggested that Medina should have sought the help of her interpreter in delivering her answer.
“Hindi ako nanghihinayang sa kanyang sagot,pero ako ay nanghihinayang dahil meron siyang interpreter tapos sinagot nya ang tanong sa English. Feeling ko, kung nagsalita lang siya ng Filipino hindi siya mahihirapan sa pagsagot sa tanong,” Nylinej Ratunil commented.
Robert James wrote: “It’s not about her grammar but I do think she has some sort of anxiety answering in front of people. Also, answering a question with the whole world watching you is difficult but honestly, I think Maxine got away with the easiest. The other questions were too loaded for a beauty competition.
Others were quick to defend Medina, saying her critics should put themselves in her shoes.
“Maxine Medina reached top 6, among those 86 candidates. And it's not bad either. Now tell me, what's wrong people? Next time, you must volunteer yourself to be the representative of our country, and you "MUST" be the winner,” a certain Jennifer Olaran said.
Despite her loss, Malacañang expressed their support to Medina.
“She represented the Philippines well in the international scene,” the Palace said in a statement.
--Mini, The Summit Express
Pinay beauty queen and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach passed her title to France’s bet Iris Mittenaere during the grand coronation night of the 65th Miss Universe pageant held on Monday, January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Mittenaere, a 24-year-old Dentistry student, bested 85 other candidates from all over the globe including the country’s bet Maxine Medina who made it to the top six of the competition. The second Miss Universe titleholder from France, Mittenaere ended 63-year drought for France. The country last won the title in 1953 with the victory of Christiane Martel.
Meanwhile, Malacañang congratulated Mittenaere shortly after she was proclaimed the new Miss Universe.
In a statement, the Palace said: "People of France are rejoicing. Truly, this is a proud moment for their country. Iris brought tremendous joy to her people by representing France well on the international stage with her winning grace, regal bearing and inspiring answer.”
Maxine Medina’s response to Q&A earns mixed reactions
Among the Top 6 candidates, Medina was the first to give her response during the question and answer portion. Although Medina has earlier expressed her willingness to get an interpreter after being criticized for having poor English communication skills, Medina chose to give her answer in English.
Her interpreter only translated the question from English to Filipino.
During the top Q&A, Medina was asked: “What is the most significant change you've seen in the world in the last 10 years?”
"In the last 10 years of being here in the world, is that I saw all the people bringing in one event like this, Miss Universe. And it's something big to us that we are one, as one nation we are all together,” Medina said.
Several netizens expressed their dismay after hearing Medina’s response. Others even suggested that Medina should have sought the help of her interpreter in delivering her answer.
“Hindi ako nanghihinayang sa kanyang sagot,pero ako ay nanghihinayang dahil meron siyang interpreter tapos sinagot nya ang tanong sa English. Feeling ko, kung nagsalita lang siya ng Filipino hindi siya mahihirapan sa pagsagot sa tanong,” Nylinej Ratunil commented.
Robert James wrote: “It’s not about her grammar but I do think she has some sort of anxiety answering in front of people. Also, answering a question with the whole world watching you is difficult but honestly, I think Maxine got away with the easiest. The other questions were too loaded for a beauty competition.
Others were quick to defend Medina, saying her critics should put themselves in her shoes.
“Maxine Medina reached top 6, among those 86 candidates. And it's not bad either. Now tell me, what's wrong people? Next time, you must volunteer yourself to be the representative of our country, and you "MUST" be the winner,” a certain Jennifer Olaran said.
Despite her loss, Malacañang expressed their support to Medina.
“She represented the Philippines well in the international scene,” the Palace said in a statement.
--Mini, The Summit Express
