No PHL bet has used Filipino for Miss U Q&A portion – pageant expert

The Philippines would have witnessed its first representative speak in Filipino during the Miss Universe question and answer round if Maxine Medina had done so, according to a correspondent from online blog Missosology on Monday.

"I'm praying na sana gamitin niya yun [Filipino], not because hindi niya kaya sumagot ng English, but because it's an opportunity for her and for the country na for the first time sa Miss Universe maririnig yung ating language," Makoy Manlapaz said in an interview on "Balitanghali."

Manlapaz added that the audience from where he was seated inside the Mall of Asia Arena held their collective breath upon seeing an interpreter on standby for Medina, who failed to advance to the Top 3.

"Sa area ko parang napabuntong hininga na lang sila. Kasi nung una na-excite kami dahil nakita namin na may lumapit na standby na interpreter, so sabi namin buti na lang at least kahit paano mag-i-interpreter na si Maxine," Manlapaz said.

During the question and answer portion, Miss Universe host Steve Harvey asked Maxine Medina the question, "What is the most significant change you've seen in the world in the last 10 years?"

Medina replied, "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."

Manlapaz said Medina should have taken the opportunity to speak in Filipino even if she is comfortable answering in English.

"Kahit siguro ako komportable ako mag-English, sa ganong position gagamitin ko na rin yung opportunity na marinig, whether nakakapag-English ako or hindi. Pero sad to say hindi niya rin naman ginamit, sana ginamit niya," Manlapaz said.

However, Manlapaz said he believes Medina's career outside Miss Universe is still promising.

"Kahit hindi naman siya nanalo ng actual title as Miss Universe nung time na yun, nakita naman natin kung ano yung magandang naging career ni Charlene Gonzales after that," he said.

Gonzales represented the country at the 1994 Miss Universe pageant, also held in the Philippines.

"Kahit hindi siguro nanalo si Maxine, tingnan na lang nating mga Pilipino kung ano yung mangyayari sa kanya after this. Puwede mas maging sikat pa siya sa Pilipinas," he added.

Manlapaz also said that Iris Mittenaere of France truly deserves the crown.

He also expressed his trust in the pageant's six judges—which included Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen, and Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes—in selecting the new titleholder.

"Kami na mga pageant expert, mas may trust kami sa mga pumipili ngayon. Yung mga pumapasok I think they deserve it," Manlapaz said, adding the judges may have based their decision on a candidate's overall impression and improvement.

"Siguro nung time na yun, overall impression, hindi lang sila nagbabase sa Q and A. Tiningnan nila kung paano to nung una kong nakita, nung nag-swimsuit, nung nag-gown. Siguro doon lumamang ng konti si France," Manlapaz said. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BM, GMA News