Queen Philippines pageant returns with more candidates

CEBU, Philippines —  Queen Philippines is back to search for transgender females fitting of the five titles up for grabs in a competition that showcases their beauty, wit and talent.

This year, the pageant gathered more than the usual with 35 candidates following a screening of almost a hundred applicants. The candidates represent different regions and provinces all over the country.

During a press presentation at the Jimei Room of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino last April 29, the candidates spoke their mind and showed off their personalities. Apart from the usual competition questions, they got real about their transition, their experiences growing up, and even religion – delighting the audience with their trademark humor and their insightful replies.

Queen Philippines producer and over-all chairman Cary Santiago is very pleased with this year’s finalists, sharing that it had been difficult to trim them down to 20 what with the applicants’ dedication and charm, which is why they made room to accommodate 35 candidates.

“This year is the biggest. We used to only have 25 to 27 candidates. I enjoyed the screening a lot. They come all the way from different provinces, they spend and you see they have the support group… this is not just about beauty and wit. Other than luck, it should come from your heart,” the renowned Cebuano designer said of his passion project.

“You see the heart and willingness, and you see that they have their own advocacies. This has become a platform for them, that when they become part of Queen Philippines, they have the title to touch the lives of others. To inspire the young ones or any human being. You can tell they have the heart for this and they really work hard. All of them.”

First held in 2009 as Queen Cebu, it was later on rebranded as Queen Philippines following the desire of many transwomen from outside Cebu to join the pageant. In 2017, it crowned Samantha Dodson of Leyte as Queen Philippines Universe. Her court included Michelle Monteclaro of Laguna for Queen World, Roxwen Delos Santos of Bohol for Queen International, Barbie Arcache of Ilocos Sur for Queen Earth, and Mikay Arcache from Zamboanga del Sur for Queen Tourism.

During the one-year break, Santiago revealed that they decided to no longer keep the show running, but Queen Philippines hopefuls asked him not to pull the plug on the pageant.

“I decided not to continue it at all but because the ladies are always asking me, saying that I’m the only one who can do a show… This has become an advocacy, a charity for me. This is like my baby and personal love letter for the trans women because I belong.”

Santiago advised the candidates to be themselves and make sure that they are sincere in what they do.

“You have to believe that someone is guiding you. Divine intervention,” Santiago said. “You just have to have that heart. It exudes from the inside. Sometimes you may not have the perfect answer, but if you have the confidence and the judges see something in you, you genuinely touch the hearts of the judges. This is not just about beauty, we talk about family, about their transition…You just have to be true to yourself. That’s all that matters – when you’re genuine.”

With the theme “Choose Philippines,” Queen Philippines 2019 will crown winners for Queen Philippines Universe, Queen Philippines World, Queen Philippines International, Queen Philippines Earth, and Queen Philippines Tourism, who will be taking home P100,000, P80,000, P70,000, P50,000, and P30,000, respectively.

To be directed by Victor Hao Cuenco, the Queen Philippines 2019 coronation night will unfold on August 10 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The pageant supports a number of charities including The Seven Sisters House of Mercy Home for the Elderly, the Cebu City Task Force for Street Children of Cebu, and Transgender COLORS Inc.