KYLIE VERZOSA gave the best answer on Binibining Pilipinas 2016 coronation night on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough to win the much-coveted Miss Universe Philippines crown. Unlike her unsuccessful Binibining Pilipinas bid last year, though, Verzosa bagged the Bb. Pilipinas International 2016 crown and will represent the country at the Japan-based pageant later this year.

Whether it was Verzosa’s fate or the decision of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), which is believed to decide which Top 6 girl goes to which pageant based on “winnability,” we don’t know. It could be both.

One thing is sure: as this year’s edition of the pageant concluded on Sunday night, April 17, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Verzosa and five other beauties’ lives changed forever.

The Answer That Counted

The ladies competed in various categories, including swimsuit, long gown, and talent. But Verzosa’s journey to a local crown is believed to have been sealed by answering with confidence and conviction the question put to her by judge Olivia Jordan, Miss USA and Miss Universe 2015 2nd Runner-Up.

Asked “Why do you deserve to claim a Binibining Pilipinas crown tonight?”, Verzosa answered, “A person who deserves to win a Binibining Pilipinas crown tonight is the person who has work hard for it, and is willing to do everything to continue the legacy of the Philippines. She is confident with an attitude and personality, and I believed I am her. Thank you.”

The audience believed it was one of the most decent answers in the final question-and-answer portion of the pageant, which produced the Philippines’ third Miss Universe crown last year through reigning queen Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

The question is quite similar to the one Wurtzbach was asked at the Miss Universe 2015 competition, which made it a difficult one for Verzosa to answer. Giving such a unique yet equally beautiful answer was worthy of praise.

An early favorite for her beautiful face, which was later awarded “The Face of Binibini,” Verzosa picked up two more awards: Bb. Manila Bulletin and Miss Jag.

A Different Path

Yet it was one of her closest rivals, Maxine Medina, who got the nod to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2016, a very tough competition to enter given Wurtzbach’s success.

Verzosa, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Ateneo de Manila University, takes a different path. She was crowned by Janicel Lubina, last year’s representative to the Miss International pageant, who landed a spot in the Top 10. The pageant was won by Venezuela. The challenge for this former pre-school teacher, whose hobbies include surfing and baking, is to amp up the country’s game with enough time to prepare for a competition last won by the Philippines in 2013, through Bea Rose Santiago.

Will she make it? We can only hope and pray. Are you happy with Kylie’s placement? Say your piece in the comments.

Check out the official results and the full list of Binibining Pilipinas 2016 winners on this link.