Maxine Medina sees no need to eliminate swimsuit competition in beauty pageants

Following the decision to remove the "outdated" bikini portion in the Miss Teen USA pageant, GMA News Online had a chat with Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 Maxine Medina about the issue. 

Asked if the Binibining Pilipinas pageant and other similar competitions should also turn away from a segment that's frequently tagged sexist in its objectification of female bodies, Medina was quick to respond, "For me kasi, beauty pageant is beauty pageant."

"Syempre, all-in-one package. Beauty, body — kailangan makita," the beauty queen added. "But if that is their requirement or rules nila, then we respect that."

Medina said that she doesn't feel the need to eliminate the segment and is instead focusing on her advocacy, education. 

"Not only education for children, pero to educate every single person here in the Philippines and around the world," she clarified. "For me, if you educate people they can be successful, too." —JST, GMA News