Ms. Philippines USA 2013 contestant Joanlia Lising inadvertently became the most popular contestant among the top 12 finalists after her response to the pageant’s question and answer portion went viral online.

ABS-CBNNews.com reports that the California beauty was asked which among the five senses she could keep if she could only have one. After thanking the host for the “wonderful” question, Joanlia then proceeded to nervously give her reply.

“If I have to pick out of five senses, I would pick seeing. Because seeing is the best sense that we can ever see, because seeing is believing,” she explained. “And believing into what you see is perfect. And, uh, out of all those senses, seeing... would really be wonderful, because... Thank you. That will be it.”



She eventually lost the crown to Alabama’s Jasmine Sabio.

Joanlia’s answer got a lot of attention online, with various news agencies describing it as “cringe-worthy” and “embarrassing.” However, others have argued that she only had a dire attack of the nerves at the wrong time, like what happened to a number of beauty queens in the past.

What do you think of Joanlia’s answer, FNites? Did her answer make you wince in your seat, or do you think we should just cut her some slack? Tell us by voting below!

(Screencap via YouTube)