The Top 12 finalists of Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2022 have sashayed their evening gowns and fiercely answered questions from judges on the last competition leg – the Evening Gown Competition and Q&A last October 29, Saturday.

Inspired by the pearl of the orient, the gown worn by Sophia Noreen Guillermo of Ilocos Norte was curated to showcase a modern take on corsetry. The beaded white pearls and sheer gown has a ‘callado’ pattern with blue velvet sleeves which displays an immaculate beauty.

Cebu City's Nadine Faith Mccoy stuns in a silver and gold gown that reflects ray of light or ‘Banaag’ — a symbol of hope. Her gown is designed by Leo Sanchez.

Dana Gabriella Tautho of Davao City took pride in her 'Waling-waling' inspired gown which is known to be the Queen of the Philippine Flowers and thrives highly in her home province.

The beauty of the Waling-waling put forth symbolizes the elegance and abundance of Davao City. With that, Dana believes her gown also conceptualizes the regalness of the said flower.

The gown, which is designed by Barbie Baldon, is intricately embellished with tantalizing green gems and crystalline beadworks in a bid to compliment her personality: simple, soft hearted, strong and resilient.

Just like her home province Bacolod City, Jeaven Iyl Musni was all smiles in her silver gray silhouette body shaping serpetina gown that is embellished with silver rhinestones and semi-precious stones.

The gown worn by Jackelaine Fleming from Cebu City symbolizes the sky, which is clear, sheer and blue, making her a celestial sky deity. It also depicts her as she moves toward the horizon, speaking to her journey and goals.

Just like her name, the gown worn by Marikit Manaois of Baguio City radiates and accentuates the pureness and the essence of a woman.

This pink creation by Jem’s Gown Collection was a breath of fresh air as she glides with confidence and poise knowing that it is her uniqueness, and that of every woman that makes her truly beautiful.

The pride of Nueva Ecija, Maica Cabling Martinez wore a custom made gown inspired by Sierra Madre and designed by Mary Santos Dela Cruz.

Her gown paid homage to the country's natural mountain barrier or “the backbone of Luzon” for keeping us safe from the numerous typhoons as well as to appreciate the beauty that protects us unfailingly.

Sculpted by one of Cebu's finest designers, the gown was embellished with pure stone crystals in vibrant colors which expresses a modern look with revealing sheer patterns of panels.

Davao City's Nikki Shannen Ortega stunned in her Minokawa-inspired gown by Jomer Pacardo. In Philippine mythology, a Minokawa is a giant, dragon-like creature believed to swallow the sun and cause eclipses.

Kassandra Avena of Caramoan, Camarines Sur wore a serpentina gown that symbolizes simplicity and purity. Its intricate bead and shell designs are meant to resemble the finest Caramoan white sand beaches.

This creation is a product of Bicolanos' perseverance, strength, and grace and the design conveys the virtue of courage, which is rooted among Bicolanos.

The competition was futher intensified by the question-and-answer portion from the panel of judges.

The candidates from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were given 30 second each to answer the questions that were about women, pageants, and current affairs.

Here's the full transcript of the segment:

Question from Ms. Ana Abad Santos: Do you think that bearing a child is the essence of a true woman?

Sophia: I believe that a woman isn't entitled to expectations of the public or everyone. We have our own decisions to make and as women, we are here to prove that we are not just pretty faces, we are not just because of our bodies, but we are here to also be a part of the community and to do better things. Bearing a child, I believe, is not something that we have to go through.

Nadine Faith Mccoy from Cebu City

Nadine: I think supporting foreign dramas is not something that we should not be proud of because the problem in Philippines is that we despise of supporting others in order to see ourself as someone who's bigger. But in reality, we have to support each other including those foreign programs so that we can also be supported by them.

Dana Gabrielle Tautho from Davao City

Question from Ms. Ana Abad Santos: In beauty pageants, if there is one special award that needs to be given more attention or weight, what would it be and why?

Kristelle Candice Pagdagdagan from Guinobatan, Albay

Question from Ms. Ana Abad Santos: Do you think transgenders should be allowed to compete in pageants for women? Why or why not?

Kristelle: Well I believe that transgender are the most important, one of the most important people in our lives because they are giving us entertainment, happiness, and so much purpose. And I believe, they have their own platform and it has never been a problem to allow transgender to join in our community because I believe that the essence of pageant is for us to share our purpose.

Question from Mr. Allen Yotoko: Do you think volunteerism helps the government in fulfilling its mandate to the people?

Jeaven: I think yes because volunteers are an integral part of any society. They are the fighter of the national power which can lead our nation the heights of glory and prosperity. So let us not underestimate those volunteers because their influence can create macro-effect not only in the society but in our world as well.

Jackelaine Fleming from Cebu City

Jackelaine: Right off the bat, my answer to that is no. We should not be reliant on our gadgets why? Because I feel like when we are away from our phones, we grow more as a person. We are more sorrounded by the reality of life and that is something that is very important especially when it comes spending time with our family and friends because time goes away in a split of a second so appreciate.

Martina Mikael De La Rama from Buenavista, Agusan del Norte

Question from Mr. Allen Yotoko: In what areas if expertise do you think the government should focus on today's youth — sports, science and technology, literacy, or arts?

Marikit Manaois from Baguio City

Question from Ms. Alexandra Faith Garcia: If you were named Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen, how will you use your title to support your advocacy?

Marikit: An Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen is a Queen with a Purpose. And if I were to win this title which is the Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen then I will take advantage of this platform to be able to talk about the importance of Zero Waste Management and to be able to give back to Mother Earth. This may be a very challenging role for me but this is just a small price to pay for the change that I want to make for the world.

Question from Mr. Tristan Harvey Francisco: Do you think that today's influencers have a positive or a negative impact on our society and why?

Maica: As a Broadcast Communication graduate, I believe that everyone has a great influence in our society. But what we should learn is that we need to keep on uplifting others, because at the end of the day what’s most important is how we affect the lives of other people. And that’s why I am here in Aliwan Fiesta, because I want to be that instrument together with Manila Broadcasting Company, in serving back the Filipino people for 83 years.

Thañamae Cahilig from Labangon, Cebu City

Thañamae: When I have a friend, that someone that mocks my political views, I would respect them. But I would just show them that.. what... have my trust or what are my political views on social media because If I am going to reply them with another violence, then it would make the situation much worse and if we would like to showcase or spread positivity then it would make our lives in better place.

Nikki Shannen Ortega from Davao City

Question from Mr. Allen Yotoko: What are the characteristics of a responsible Filipino politician?

Kassandra Avena from Caramoan, Camarines Sur

Question from Mr. Tristan Harvey Francisco: How will you describe Caramoan to a blind person?

Kassandra: Caramoan is a very beautiful place. It is rich in culture, tradition, and we really uplift our fellow Caramoanons. Caramoan can be described as a color red because Caramoanons are empowered, we take pride of our culture and tradition and I believe that we are a resilient people. No matter what life brings us we always become more resilient.

That's it for the last competition leg of this year's search! Who do you think will be crowned as the Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2022? Check that out this Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 PM for the Awarding and Coronation Night!

The coronation night will be aired over DZRH News Television, and all social media platforms of MBC: DZRH, Love Radio, Yes The Best, Easy Rock, Aksyon Radyo, and Radyo Natin.

For more details, follow Aliwan Fiesta on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.