It’s not always easy to admit your faults, and it must be harder to do on national television, but that’s exactly what Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) candidate Sandra Lemonon did when she admitted last night that she was not prepared to answer the question she was asked during the beauty pageant’s much-awaited Q&A portion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMJpf1DV9-4
Lemonon, a French-Filipino bartender from Pasig City, reached the top 15 of the competition. During the Q&A portion, she was asked: “What are your insights on the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program?” by judge and Megawide Construction Chairman Edgar Saavedra.
Instead of going straight to rehearsed motherhood statements, Lemonon acknowledged that she does not know much about the project and said: “The insights of the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. 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!”
At least she didn’t go for the cliche “world peace” answer?
Host and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach commended Lemonon for keeping it real, saying “Oh, I love her honesty. That’s better than lying.”
And Twitter feels the same way, mostly because many can totally relate to feeling unprepared.
“Sandra Lemonon is me during an exam. No explanation needed.” @asdfghjklourdes said.
https://twitter.com/asdfghjklourdes/status/975408342779637760
“sandra lemonon is all of us when we studied all & night the exam consisted of NOTHING WE STUDIED FOR,” @hersummerdream said.
https://twitter.com/hersummerdream/status/975409275240562688
Twitter user @shimmysina said it’s better to be honest like Lemonon, than pretentious.
Be a Sandra Lemonon in this world full or pretentious and pabibos. #BbPilipinas2018
— Shin Mesina (@shimmysina) March 18, 2018
While @abad_jeffreyr said intelligence isn’t just about being prepared but also required honesty. “Being intelligent is being honest and admitting that we don’t know everything,” he said.
Sometimes, intelligence does not only require preparation. It requires honesty. Being intelligent is being honest in admitting that we don't know everything.
Cheer up Ms. Sandra Lemonon#BbPilipinas2018— Jeffrey Rosel Abad (@abad_jeffreyr) March 18, 2018
Some even said that that they admired Lemonon’s honesty and called her brave.
https://twitter.com/Roayieofficial/status/975417372860342272
I didn’t see Sandra Lemonon as weak when she failed to directly answer the question. I saw her as someone strong and confident to admit what she knows and in all honesty. Still cheering you on, Binibining 35! #BbPilipinas2018
— EJ (@only_ejsanchez) March 18, 2018
While some like @mikoyoshiy, said that Lemonon ought to familiarize herself with current events, other like @archyree admitted that he doesn’t know what the “Build, Build, Build” program was either.
https://twitter.com/mikoyoshiy/status/975412407232118785
https://twitter.com/archyree/status/975408301499281408
For those like Lemonon and @archyree who are not in the know, “Build, Build, Build,” is one of the government’s big-ticket projects that aims to, well, build infrastructure all over the country including airports, roads, and railways.
Binibining Pilipinas is an annual pageant that crowns women that will represent the Philippines in international beauty pageants like Miss Universe and Miss International. This year’s winners included:
Miss Universe – Catriona Gray
Miss International – Ma. Ahtisa Manalo
Miss Globe – Michele Gumabao
Miss Intercontinental – Karen Gallman
Miss Grand International – Eva Patalinjug
Miss Supranational – Jehza Huelar
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