The contestants are presented at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. CDN Digital photo | Mich Padayhag
Cebu City, Philippines—The largest so far.
This was how Cebuano master couturier Cary Santiago described the eighth edition of the Queen Philippines, the grandest beauty pageant for transgender women in the country.
Thirty-five official candidates were officially introduced on the evening of Monday, April 29, 2019, in a press conference held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
“Because we used to have 25 candidates. I do not know for some reason. Maybe there are many who are qualified this year,” Santiago, the producer and overall chairman of the pageant, explained on why there is an increase of official candidates this year.
Santiago also cited that official candidates have shown much dedication and are all prepared for this year’s pageant.
“Because when you hear them personally, you will tell they have a heart for this and they really worked hard. All of them. If only we could accommodate, everybody to be part of the pageant, you would love to include all of them,” he added.
Almost 100 applicants screened for the Queen Philippines 2019 but only 35 candidates made it to the official roster.
During the press presentation, candidates were all dolled up and in black dresses.
With this year’s theme, “Choose Philippines”, they also wore sashes which represent different provinces in the country.
Five crowns are still up for grabs this year. These are Queen Universe, Queen World, Queen International, Queen Earth, and Queen Tourism.
Winners will receive P100,000, P80,000, P70,000, P50,000, and P30,000, respectively.
Coronation night is slated on August 10, 2019 ,at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The pageant will be directed by award-winning choreographer Victor Cuenco.
The Queen Philippines was first staged in 2009 with Rain Villagonzalo as the first grand winner.
The last Queen Philippines pageant was held in 2017. Leyte’s Samantha Dodson was named Queen Philippines Universe 2017.
Other winners in the 2017 batch were Michelle Monteclaro of Laguna (Queen World), Roxwen Delos Santos of Bohol (Queen International), Barbie Arcache of Ilocos Sur (Queen Earth), and Mikay Arcache of Zamboanga del Sur (Queen Tourism).
Santiago also advised this year’s candidates to be genuine.
“Because you just have to have that heart. It exudes from inside. You may not have the perfect answer but when you have the confidence and when they see something in you genuinely, it can touch the heart of the judges,” the Cebuano master couturier said.
Queen Philippines is not just all about the beauty and brains of the candidates.
It also helps charities like the Seven Sisters House of Mercy Home for the Elderly, Cebu City Task Force for Street Children of Cebu, and Transgender COLORS Inc. /bmjo