UNCUT: After googling, Binibini 35 now has answer about 'Build, Build, Build' | ABS-CBN
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UNCUT: After googling, Binibini 35 now has answer about 'Build, Build, Build'
UNCUT: After googling, Binibini 35 now has answer about 'Build, Build, Build'
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 20, 2018 08:18 PM PHT
Binibining Pilipinas candidate Sandra Lemonon became the subject of memes and online debate after she gave a candid, no-filter answer to a question about the government's infrastructure program -- that she was clueless about it.
Binibining Pilipinas candidate Sandra Lemonon became the subject of memes and online debate after she gave a candid, no-filter answer to a question about the government's infrastructure program -- that she was clueless about it.
Picked at random by a judge, in her case Megawide Construction Corp. chairman Edgar Saavedra, Lemonon was asked for her insights on the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" program.
Picked at random by a judge, in her case Megawide Construction Corp. chairman Edgar Saavedra, Lemonon was asked for her insights on the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" program.
In a highlight of the three-hour coronation night, Lemonon responded: "Actually you know what, I studied so much for this Q&A, but sadly that's something that I don't know really much about. But at least I'm here trying to answer a good question. Thank you." (See the 1:35 mark in the video below.)
In a highlight of the three-hour coronation night, Lemonon responded: "Actually you know what, I studied so much for this Q&A, but sadly that's something that I don't know really much about. But at least I'm here trying to answer a good question. Thank you." (See the 1:35 mark in the video below.)
An early favorite in the national pageant, Lemonon fell short of winning one of the six crowns and only finished in the top 15.
An early favorite in the national pageant, Lemonon fell short of winning one of the six crowns and only finished in the top 15.
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Two days after the pageant, Lemonon sat down with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual to look back on the much talked-about moment, and how she could have done better.
Two days after the pageant, Lemonon sat down with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual to look back on the much talked-about moment, and how she could have done better.
As she'd mentioned in her Q&A response, Lemonon said that she prepared extensively for Binibining Pilipinas, and that part of her training was actually brushing up on current events.
As she'd mentioned in her Q&A response, Lemonon said that she prepared extensively for Binibining Pilipinas, and that part of her training was actually brushing up on current events.
"We took our time to study. It's not easy at all, to be put there on the spot. I was just in shock when I heard my question, because talaga... I was expecting divorce, abortion, women's rights, violence, Marawi, Dengvaxia. I was ready for these questions! And when I had my question, I was just stumped," she said.
"We took our time to study. It's not easy at all, to be put there on the spot. I was just in shock when I heard my question, because talaga... I was expecting divorce, abortion, women's rights, violence, Marawi, Dengvaxia. I was ready for these questions! And when I had my question, I was just stumped," she said.
But there was another layer of difficulty for Lemonon, who now revealed she had misheard the judge's question.
But there was another layer of difficulty for Lemonon, who now revealed she had misheard the judge's question.
"Also I didn't understand the question, I really didn't. I really thought that he was saying about 'bills,' not about building. But in that moment, I really was hoping for him to elaborate. But now when I think about it, it's not his fault at all. It is not. I just wish I was informed and knowledgeable about this question," she said.
"Also I didn't understand the question, I really didn't. I really thought that he was saying about 'bills,' not about building. But in that moment, I really was hoping for him to elaborate. But now when I think about it, it's not his fault at all. It is not. I just wish I was informed and knowledgeable about this question," she said.
If given the chance to answer the same question, Lemonon would have this to day: "Of course! Yes, I'm pro building infrastructure. Who isn't? It's about time! How are going to get our economy better without this? It's about time!"
If given the chance to answer the same question, Lemonon would have this to day: "Of course! Yes, I'm pro building infrastructure. Who isn't? It's about time! How are going to get our economy better without this? It's about time!"
"Of course there's no answer for 'no,' there's only 'yes.' You have to say 'yes' to this. I just wish in that moment, I could have answered like that. But of course only later... You only have 30 seconds to answer, and only later I understood what the question was, so sayang talaga."
"Of course there's no answer for 'no,' there's only 'yes.' You have to say 'yes' to this. I just wish in that moment, I could have answered like that. But of course only later... You only have 30 seconds to answer, and only later I understood what the question was, so sayang talaga."
After that finals night, Lemonon said she refrained from checking her phone for a day, for fear of the "bashing" she had imagined she would receive after disappointing not only her fans, but the team and mentors who had "invested" time in her as a potential queen.
After that finals night, Lemonon said she refrained from checking her phone for a day, for fear of the "bashing" she had imagined she would receive after disappointing not only her fans, but the team and mentors who had "invested" time in her as a potential queen.
But instead, Lemonon was surprised to receive an outpouring of support not only from loyal fans but new ones. "I'm not known on Instagram; I only had 4,000 followers. And now, I have 10,000 followers and that's crazy!" she said.
But instead, Lemonon was surprised to receive an outpouring of support not only from loyal fans but new ones. "I'm not known on Instagram; I only had 4,000 followers. And now, I have 10,000 followers and that's crazy!" she said.
On Twitter and Facebook, reactions to Lemonon's honest answer were mixed. Some referred to her as a breath of fresh air in the pageant scene where memorized, template answers have become the norm.
On Twitter and Facebook, reactions to Lemonon's honest answer were mixed. Some referred to her as a breath of fresh air in the pageant scene where memorized, template answers have become the norm.
A number, however, pointed out that as a citizen and a potential public figure, Lemonon carries the responsibility of being informed at the least about current events.
A number, however, pointed out that as a citizen and a potential public figure, Lemonon carries the responsibility of being informed at the least about current events.
Others shared Lemonon's cluelessness about the government program, saying that if anything, her Q&A moment highlights the public's lack of awareness on national issues, or the supposed shortcoming of government units when it comes to information dissemination.
Others shared Lemonon's cluelessness about the government program, saying that if anything, her Q&A moment highlights the public's lack of awareness on national issues, or the supposed shortcoming of government units when it comes to information dissemination.
"I'm so happy that this happened," Lemonon said. "I do not regret anything, because in the end, at least now everyone knows what the 'Build, Build, Build' program is! I know what it is, everyone else who didn't know what it was, now they know."
"I'm so happy that this happened," Lemonon said. "I do not regret anything, because in the end, at least now everyone knows what the 'Build, Build, Build' program is! I know what it is, everyone else who didn't know what it was, now they know."
Luckily for Lemonon, she's still eligible as a repeater candidate in Binibining Pilipinas -- and this early on, she has already confirmed her intention of making a comeback, decidedly with a more informed foray into the make-or-break Q&A round.
Luckily for Lemonon, she's still eligible as a repeater candidate in Binibining Pilipinas -- and this early on, she has already confirmed her intention of making a comeback, decidedly with a more informed foray into the make-or-break Q&A round.
Watch Lemonon's uncut interview below:
Watch Lemonon's uncut interview below:
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