A spectacle of amazing beauties
By Stephanie Maureen F. Asi, Staff Writer
10/11/2008
If you grew up in the Philippines, it is unheard of to have not watched a beauty pageant even once. Contests like these are common in the country. From the nationwide scale to the smallest barangays in the archipelago, beauty pageants are spectacles awaited by the Filipino audience. Often held alongside important occasions such as fiestas, holidays and fund-raising events, beauty pageants reveal the Filipino’s beauty, intelligence, talent and wit.
After the phenomenal win of Gloria Diaz as the Miss Universe in 1969, beauty contests became even more prevalent in our country. As a means of celebrating the Filipino’s beauty, as a form of entertainment and sometimes a way to raise funds, pageants are definitely a part of our colorful culture.
Traditionally, the participants are young women ages 16 to 24. Over the years, however, pageants have included a unique pool of candidates ranging from senior citizens, mommies to men. None of these can top it when transgenders and transvestites join the picture.
Not your ordinary beauties
They’re some of the most colorful souls you’ll meet in your lifetime. You’ll be captivated by their infectious cheer, good-humored attitude and fun-loving aura. It is easy to be drawn to their “animated” stories that are sure to keep you laughing until you fall off the edge of your seat. Although they are no strangers to the hardships of life and heartaches, they remain as positive and jolly as they can be. They are transgenders, transvestites, commonly known as gays, and they have really stepped up as full-fledged beauty candidates in this year’s 6th Search for Amazing Philippine Beauties.
They are as close to a woman as they can get. Except for the lack of ovaries, some of them already possess all the features of a real lady. I, for one, was beguiled by their feminine beauty, sometimes exceeding that of a real woman. Their flawless skin, exquisite features, toned physique and shiny hair make them beauty queen material. Had I not known that they were transgenders, I would have assumed that they were real women.
The 25 candidates are from all over the Philippines, coming from as far as Bulacan, Batangas, Pampanga, Dumaguete and Zamboanga. The ladies, as they are called, come from different backgrounds — college students, salon owners, call center agents and entrepreneurs, to name a few.
Rianne Barrameda, last year’s Miss Amazing Philippines, is an entrepreneur from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. She explains how the pageant has opened many doors for her in her career and relationships. “It’s a great opportunity for me to grow and to develop my personality,” she says. It was also during the pageant that she met her best friend and gained many pals. She now works as a member of the Amazing Philippine Theater, performing every night except Mondays. She is also the ambassadress of the theater company. Aside from this, she has TV guestings. She also got the opportunity to be in a short film. When she’s not performing, she’s busy with her bar and restaurant business in her hometown. Come November, she will be joining the prestigious pageant in Pattaya, Thailand as well. An embodiment of beauty, grace and intelligence, Rian proves that transgenders do have a place in the society and have the ability to succeed in their chosen careers.
For two nights only
The prestigious event is a coming together not only of transgenders, but also of people with spectacular talents. For two nights, the Manila Film Center will be home to the one-of-a-kind pageant. Audiences are in for a marvelous show as the awaited pre-pageant night is held on Oct. 17. The 25 candidates will show off their talents with show-stopping production numbers, their beauty and bodies in the long gown, swimsuit and fashionista portions and their intelligence in the question and answer portion. The much anticipated Coronation night will have the 25 candidates in a carnival parade inspired by the Carribbean celebration. It will be held on Oct. 24 at the same venue.
The 6th Search for Amazing Philippine Beauties 2008 is a must-see. More than the spectacular production numbers in store for the audience, it is a pageant like no other because the Amazing Philippine Beauties will invite the candidates who will take the prize to be part of their show. Only one will be crowned Miss Amazing Philippines, who, aside from the P70,000 cash prize, will also receive a one year contract as a member of the Amazing Theater. The fourth, third, second and fifth runners-up will also receive a one year contract with their respective cash prizes. This makes the pageant an important event for transgenders and transvestites, who want make their mark in the world of theater and possibly become media personalities as well.
Casie Villarosa, Amazing Philippine Theater vice president, shares how the pageant came to be. “When we started this pageant, we just wanted a venue for recruitment — to recruit the beautiful gays in the country, to put them in one place wherein we could pick our future star. But now, it’s growing a lot. Society wise and in the Philippine setting, my dream is to make it an international pageant,” he declares.
Aware that even though the gay community is gaining acceptance in society, there are still people who contest the idea of such a pageant, Villarosa says there is no need to express prejudice against these people. “Ultimately, you learn that they (transgenders and transvestites) are as human as you are, perhaps even more. They have stories to tell, and they’re very interesting people,” he explains. “The pageant is a must-see because it really deals with what being gay is all about, the problems they have in their life, and the talents, skills and knowledge they have to offer,” he says.
For ticket inquiries and more information, please call 833-5758 and 833-5785.
