It's more fun being a Binibini

Let’s put our hands together for the newly-crowned Binibinis:

• Janine Mari Tugonon, 22, Miss Universe Philippines 2012

Janine was born and raised in Balanga, Bataan. She is a B.S. Pharmacy cum laude graduate from UST and has trained in Ballet Manila. She was last year’s first runner-up. Previous to this, she was also Miss Pharmacy and Miss UST — both in 2010. She loves watching crime suspense thrillers such as CSI, Criminal Minds and Fringe. She also loves reading crime related books.

• Nicole Schmitz, 23, Bb. Pilipinas-International 2012

Representing Cebu City, Nicole will soon be the holder of two degrees — Law and Psychology — in Australia. She is set to graduate from law by the end of 2012 and graduated in Psychology with honors. She is a keen traveler and plans to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro. She also loves extreme sports, white water rafting and hang-gliding, and dances the salsa. Her dad is German while her mom is a Filipina from Cebu. It is her second time to join the pageant, the first time being in 2007 when she was just 18. Joining the Bb. Pilipinas has always been on top of her mind because she feels that she has a lot to offer to the pageant.

•  Katrina Jayne Dimaranan, 18, Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism 2012

Katrina was born in San Juan, Metro Manila, and just recently graduated from high school. She wants to take up Psychology in college because she believes she can relate to different kinds of people because of her life experiences. Because of her family’s situation, she has attended 13 schools and has learned to be independent. She was also homeless for a while even to the point of sleeping in a terminal bathroom with her siblings. She loves to sing and has exposure to choirs, events and musicals. Despite her challenging experiences, Katrina maintains a positive outlook in life. She joined the pageant to be an inspiration to people and that despite all odds, “all will turn out all right.”

Okay, let’s do away with the swimsuit and evening-gown competitions. Let’s go straight to the Q&A and pick their brains.

How would you convince people abroad that it’s more fun in the Philippines?

Janine: The Philippines has a lot of breath-taking spots, nice beaches and green parks. The people are charming, loving and hospitable.

Nicole: They should come over and have a taste of our delicious halo-halo which represents the many good qualities…and the sweetness of the Filipinos.

Katrina: As Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism, it’s my task to lure people abroad to visit the Philippines. Aside from the magnificent 7,107 islands, most important for them to see is how beautiful our people are.

What’s your take on the transgender issue (should transgender be allowed to compete in beauty contests for women)?

Janine: I go for whatever decision the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) will make.

Nicole: If the Miss Universe Organization revises its rules to allow transgender to compete, so be it. I will abide by the rules.

Katrina: Even if I think that men and women are not the same and are not equal, I agree with Janine and Nicole that if the MUO and the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) would bend their rules to accommodate transgender, then I have no choice but to follow the rule. I trust that the two organizations will do only what’s right.

If that’s the case, how would you prove that you are more female than transgender?

Janine: Well, very simply that I have uterus and I am able and capable of giving birth. More than that, my having the heart of a woman.

Nicole: I don’t even think that I have to prove it.

Katrina: Like what Janine said, real female has the power to create life. That’s a great gift from God and only women are able to do so.

What can you say about Pres. Noynoy Aquino’s love life being played up by the media (after all, he’s a bachelor)?

Janine: The effectiveness of running a country doesn’t depend on whether a leader is single or married. As long as he’s ready to lead and to serve, then that’s good enough for me.

Nicole: I think that even if he’s a public figure, the President of the country no less, he’s entitled to some privacy. A line should be drawn between his personal life and life as a public servant.

Katrina: As long as he leads us well, basta i-handle niya tayo ng mabuti at kaya niya tayong alagaan, as long as he doesn’t neglect his job, I believe it’s okay for him to enjoy naman his personal affairs.

Cosmetic surgery is popular among women who want to be more beautiful than they already are. In fact, in Venezuela (which has produced dozens of beauty titlists), there’s a school where aspiring beauty queens undergo enhancement procedures. What’s your take on this?

Janine: I have nothing against it. But personally, I won’t resort to it. I’m happy with how I look. That’s one thing I love about the Bb. Pilipinas. They don’t make us have a noselift or anything invasive. All that they encourage us to do is exercise and go on a diet.

Nicole: To each her own. Every woman is entitled to what she wants to do with herself. But personally, I am happy with what God has given me, so why tamper with it?

Katrina: I would never undergo cosmetic surgery. But if other women believe that it will give them more confidence and make them feel better and help them advance in whatever field they are in, then go for it. I respect them. Ako ayoko, kasi kahit konting laceration natatakot ako.

Aside from loss of privacy, how do you think the title would change your life?

Janine: Actually, nafi-feel ko na ‘yung sinasabi nilang pagiging public figure. After I won, my Twitter followers increased considerably. I tweeted only one line…’My Saviour, my Lord fought and won the battle for me’…and there was a lot of reactions. So I told myself, ‘From now on, better be careful with what you say or do.’ But still, winning the crown is a good way to influence a lot of people kasi lumawak ‘yung sphere of influence ko. It’s a nice way to show people what you really are and what you can do for them.

Nicole: Definitely, my life will change and I’m prepared for it, although I’m still not used to people knowing my name. But I feel good, I feel lucky that I’m given this rare opportunity to prove myself and do whatever I can for other people.

Katrina: You know, all of us 30 contestants were optimistic about winning the crown. I guess all of us also knew that once you win, you become a public figure overnight and you lose some privacy. You just have to make sacrifices. At first, I was reluctant to join the pageant. But my mom convinced me to. I did some research and when I found out that it had to do with charities, I said, ‘Why not?’ If I could inspire people, why not? Loss of privacy is too little a price to pay.”

Speaking of sacrifice, would you give up the crown for an offer of marriage and a comfortable life from your boyfriend? (The three said that they don’t have boyfriends, cross their heart!)

Janine: Nothing and no one can make me give up the crown. I really worked hard for it. I believe that it has been planned by Him. I won first runner-up last year and I tried again this year. Successful naman. If I give up the crown, para ko na ring ginive-up ang plan niya for me.

Nicole: This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so why give it up? If he really loves me, he should wait. After all, my reign is only one year. It’s a good thing I don’t have a boyfriend. I first joined the Binibini in 2007 when I just turned 18 and I didn’t get the crown. Now that I did, why give it up?

Katrina: No, I won’t! I would tell him not to be insecure. Come on, wait ka muna. One year lang ito, ‘no!

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