MANILA  — From 53 candidates, the Miss Universe Philippines on Wednesday named 10 lovely candidates in the Mall of Asia Arena to continue to the next round of the competition.

But before moving forward in the competition, each of the candidates answered quick questions to show about their personality.

What is one behind-the-scenes secret that you can share with the world? 

Kris Tiffany Janson - Cebu: "This one secret that I love to share to everybody. All the girls — not all — but a lot of girls call me ate or big sister. When I entered into the pageant I was kind of curious about it and I was a bit shy because these girls called me ate, because it would show my age. But now, I'm very very proud of it because they look up to me and they share beautiful stories and this is one thing I'm very very proud of. Your ate is here!" 

If you could hit the rewind button in your MUPh journey, what journey would you play back? 

Alexie Brooks - Iloilo City: "Every day that I get to spend with these girls are the most amazing days of my life, but if there's one moment I will go back to, probably those days when we were in Sultan Kudarat, when we did a National Costume there. Though all the girls were really exhausted, that's when we [saw] the sisterhood that is in there, so this is more like a celebration for us." 

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What are you looking forward to if you had a choice, not being able to wear heels or getting your favorite food delivered to you, anytime any day, or wherever you are in the world? 

Chelsea Manalo - Bulacan: "So one of the things that I also wanna share here is that I love to eat ice cream, (Ice cream) is one of my comfort foods. So, behind the stage, whenever I get to eat ice cream while I wear my heels is a thing that I actually like to share with you. It's a both win for me."

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During the pageant, what is the one thing that you missed most?

Christi McGarry -Taguig: "It would very much be and I'm sure my girl would agree, spending quality time with my family and friends. Because, fortunately, we get to spend time with one another but we do miss out on moments because we are still consumed with the pageant. But soon enough, we're all gonna able to spend time with them again so we're looking forward to that for sure." 

After tonight, who in the entire world are you looking forward to spending your time with? 

Victoria Velasquez Vincent - Bacoor: "A lot of you know that in 2021 my parents were not able to come and watch me compete in Miss Universe Philippines. But I am so proud to know that they are sitting right over there and I am so so so looking forward to spending as much time with them as possible, especially given Dad's first time back in the Philippines in 10 years. So, welcome back Dad." 

You can't always have good days here, so when you are not feeling your best, who do you call or what did you do to feel better? 

Cyrille Payumo - Pampanga: "When I am not feeling at my best, I always call my sisters. I have 52 lovely sisters behind my back and every time I feel down, whenever people always question my capacity there will always be 52 lovely sisters in my heart who always push me to be at my best."

If you are on a deserted Island, I wanna know at all these ladies here who would you pick? And Why?  

Ahtisa Manalo - Quezon Province: "I'm sure a lot of the girls will feel bad if I just pick one. I have a lot of best friends in this competition, but I would pick Miss Quirino because she is a mom and I know she will be able to take care of me and I take care of her as well thank you."  

Tell me a juicy secret you have never told anybody else before. 

Stacey Daniella Gabriel-Cainta: "I guess the secret would be that I have so much hair spray on and (I am) extremely flammable so don't come near me anybody with a lighter."

Let's say you're about to go on a date with someone who's never gone on a date with someone Filipina. You get to take anywhere and do anything you want, what's the date? 

Anita Rose Gomez - Zambales: "As we all know that our country has so much to offer, and in my province as well we have so many incredible tourist destinations and I would love to date that foreign man at first, to drop by to my home because we would have the time to share a simple yet sumptuous home-cooked meal prepared by my Mama. And I know that through that moment, he will know and experience so much hospitality and how incredible how Filipino are. And I think that is the (reason) why they will not just visit but they will keep coming back to the Philippines for us Filipinas and for our food." 

What makes Filipina women the most awesome, amazing women in the world? 

Tarah Valencia-Baguio: "Every Filipino men are empowered woman and I see it through my mother because when my father passed away, I see the courage the strive to be strong to take care of our family and I believe that is the true essence of how every empowered Filipina woman should emanate up to now." 

The Top 10 candidates

Kris Tiffany Janson - Cebu

Alexie Brooks - Iloilo City 

Chelsea Manalo - Bulacan 

Christi McGarry - Taguig 

Victoria Velasquez Vincent - Bacoor 

Cyrille Payumo - Pampanga 

Ahtisa Manalo - Quezon Province 

Stacey Daniella Gabriel - Cainta 

Anita Rose Gomez - Zambales

Tarah Valencia - Baguio 

TRANSCRIPT: How Miss Universe PH 2024 Top 5 battled in Q&A