Winners and losers in the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 beauty pageant

Last night, I watched the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 beauty pageant where the following emerged as winners: Janine Tugonon, Bb. Pilipinas Universe; Nicole Schmitz, Bb. Pilipinas International; and Katrina Jayne Dimaranan, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism. I hope they do as well or better than Shamcey Supsup, third runner-up in Miss Universe 2011.

I have my own list of winners for their onscreen appearances so congratulations to the following:

● Shamcey and Venus Raj for doing a fine job as program hosts. They were comfortable with the English language and shone on the TV screen.

● Risa Hontiveros Baraquel, for translating her question in English into Pilipino and asking the contestant to answer in the language that she's more comfortable with.

● Binibini No. 7, Patricia Lae Ejercitado, for giving the most real answer of the evening Asked to recall the biggest obstacle she ever faced in her life, she said, "There was a time in my life that I doubted the existence of God but I realized that it was just God's challenge for me. Now I know he will always be there for me, to pick me up and accept me when I commit mistakes. Now I'm pursuing intimacy with the Lord."

● Binibini No. 1, Karen Gallman, asked to define victory and defeat said "It's not about winning. It's about how you fought to win. There are times when we fail but we have to learn from it and be dependent on God."

● Binibini No. 8, Nicole Schmitz on whether she would rather be someone who's respected or loved: "I would rather be respected because that means you maintain your integrity, dignity and self-respect. That means in turn you'll be loved by whoever matters and everyone around you.

Where there are winners, there are also losers. The following did not get passing marks from me:

● Xian Lim for doing a mediocre job as the co-emcee. It was all "porma" and no warmth and sincerity primarily because he was reading from cue cards most of the time. He probably thought that projecting his voice would do it. One of his booboos was mispronouncing the names of the judges. Olivier Gougeon became Oliver Goo-jon and Jorge Domecq became George Domeka.

It's when he's not reading from a script that his weakness becomes very apparent. In the Q and A portion with the contestants, he's supposed to make them relax before facing the judges but all he can do is ask them the same questions, "Are you nervous," Are you ready?" "Do you feel the pressure?" and obvious comments like "You have a lot of supporters."

● Georgina Wilson, also for mispronouncing Monsieur Olivier's name as well as his company Societe Generale which she pronounced as Society General. Her other miscue was missing the other members of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities Executive Committee.There was a close-up of Betsy Westendorp but Georgina missed her altogether. Maybe it wasn't her fault.

● Binibini No. 18, Angelee Delos Reyes, who thought she could impress the judges by going around the rule of limiting contestants to a 30-second answer. Even before the judge, US Ambassador Harry Thomas, could ask his question, she was already mouthing platitudes and motherhood statements.

● Binibini No. 14, Gina Joy Howell, for disregarding Baraquel's suggestion to answer in a language she was more familiar with. Instead she insisted on speaking in English. The question was what she would do if her husband were to ask her to choose between him and her career. Her reply: "Of course, he have to be in where I want to be and he have to support wherever I'm happy with my career. If he loves me, then he would support and cherish the love that we have so that we can be happy together."

● Binibini No. 29 Forbes for misunderstanding the question posed to her which was, "What are the disadvantages of the new forms of communication? (i.e social media like Facebook and Twitter.) Her reply: "Communication helps us reach to our relatives, our loved ones, that we truly love and this love reminds me of a quote saying, "You cannot do great things, you can only do small things with great love."

● Binibini No. 9, Mary Jean Lastimosa for giving a weird answer to the question "What is the most pressing problem in the world today?" Her reply: Curiosity. Her solution to the problem: "Through peripheral listening, we may solve the problem. Curiosity, in the right way, of using it could lead us to knowing and knowing could lead us to learning?"

I don't know whether to put the following contestant in the winners or losers column:

● Binibini No.15, Elaine Kay Moll, when asked what changes she would make in Philippine culture, she hesitated but gave a good answer, Filipino time. She added "it's very important t be on time," but then she followed that up with "to appreciate and to cooperate to everybody."