Manila: Maria Mika Maxine Medina bested 39 contestants to win the title Miss Universe Philippines 2016 on Sunday.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach passed the crown to Medina at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Medina, a 25-year-old beauty from Quezon City, will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe competition this year.
At the question and answer portion of the pageant, a female judge asked Medina what she would advise a 15-year-old girl who wanted to stop her studies even if her parents could afford to send her to school.
"I would tell the little girl to... study hard no matter what their parents would tell them. because having an education is something that... cannot have that anybody else [sic]," Medina fumbled with her answer. However, she quickly regained her composure with her next statement, drawing a big cheer from the crowd: "Education can make you even a better person."
Five other Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) contestants were also crowned on Sunday.
Nichole Marie Manalo was crowned Miss Philippines-Globe, Nicole Cordoves was crowned Miss Philippines-Grand International, Jennifer Ruth Hammond was crowned Miss Philippines–Intercontinental, Kylie Verzosa was crowned Miss Philippines-International and Joanna Deapera Eden was crowned Miss Philippines-Supranational.
