To be fair, Aya Abesamis nailed both her swimsuit and evening gown turns during the Miss Universe Philippines | Bb. Pilipinas 2019 Grand Coronation Night. At that point, it was a given for her to make it past the first cut so her entry into the Top 15 was expected. When time came for the Q&A, she was picked by young actress Nadine Lustre who asked about the advice she can give to a 16 year-old to become an empowered young lady.
Her answer was short and sweet – to read more and understand life. Watch her in the clip below.
But was her take on the question too short to be substantial in the eyes (and ears) of the judges, or did it require just a wee bit more sweetness to convince everyone in the panel that she was able to wrap her head around the “advice” to make it more commanding for a teenage listener?
The way I see it, Aya looked like she wanted to expound a little further on her advice but instead, she promptly punctuated the reply with “that’s all“. Be that as it may, it was enough to include her in the deliberations after.
I may have not predicted Binibini Pasig to win one of the six titles, but I still wanted to see her up there in the final group shot of all the winners. And she was able to do so. As 1st Runner-Up, she will also train with the titleholders – especially with Dale Carnegie – and take part in all the mandatory public appearances.
But does she deserve better? Well, I won’t be shocked if her name was called as Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2019. She could have been a major contender for that crown after what she has shown in the Top 25 and Top 15.
But with everything over and done with, I am pleased to learn that Aya is happy with what she got. After all, it is a leap from her Bb. Pilipinas 2018 performance. While this is already her one last chance to become a Binibini and vie for a good crown, she is ending her pageant dreams on a good note. Nothing that would excite her team and supporters to high heavens, but a worthwhile reward for all the efforts she has poured into becoming a Binibining Pilipinas for two consecutive years.
They’re not your cookie-cutter type of beauty queens because – after all – these nine (9) are some of the popular and stardom-bound actresses in Philippine showbiz these days. Check them out in the June 2018 issue of Mega Magazine with the following pitch:
There is intriguing talk on social media about the answer given by your newly-crowned Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2018 Eva Psychee Patalinjug as a “copy” of actress Nadine Lustre’s post June 12 of last year during the Philippine Independence Day for Mega Magazine. All I can say is that the Cebuana took inspiration from the message, and instead of giving it her own spin (that could alter the entire thought depending on the words used), she recited choice parts that sounded “memorized” to everyone.
