Miss Global PH beauty pageant: No to transgender women bets
Organizers of the Miss Global Philippines beauty pageant have said that they have nothing against transgender women. But they pointed out that do not see their contest accepting them in the future.
"This is a female pageant. That's why we empower women and only women. Transgenders, they had sex change. Kung magpapasok ako ng transgender, that means ma-o-over power na tayo ng men. (If I will accept transgender women, that means we are overpowered by men)," said Pauline Sofia Laping, CEO and national director, when asked if Miss Global Philippines is ready to accept transgender women contestants soon, during an exclusive interview at West Avenue Suites in Quezon City recently.
"Now ako ang pinaglalaban ko mga kakabaihan. Pero kami tinatanggap namin ang single mothers. We give chance to them. (I fight for women empowerment. But we accept single mothers)," adds Laping, who also co-produced the Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse boxing bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last July 21.
Laping, whose pageant accepts single women and single mothers, also says that she will not be distracted by critics.
"Ang mga critics laging nandyan. Hindi naman natin maiiwasan kung may masasabi ang mga tao. Basta for us, we will keep on doing what we do -- to empower women and promote Philippine tourism regardless of the criticisms that I have been hearing. I am here and I have my queens. So I don't have to say anything other than that. (Critics will always be there. We cannot avoid them)," she says.
Laping made the reaction during the press presentation for the 19 official candidates of Miss Global Philippines 2018 pageant. She said that from 25 official candidates, they already narrowed down the number of girls to 19.
This year's official candidates are Alexandra Moraga, Patricia Agapito, Marshy Chaudhry, Kaycee Dacquil, Eileen Gonzales, Krizoli Rosete, Sunshine Bantillo, Aleckxis Chuidian, Janella Manuel, May Adel Ahmed Salman, Aeryka Chu, Ziara Estrada, Glayzelle Ramos, Cheska Vinas, Regine Harriet Isorena, Charlene Duran, Dyan Shane Mag-Abo, Stephanie del Mundo, and Nicole Osuna Dichoso.
Gonzales, a single mother, has been chosen Darling of the Press during the special media presentation. Joining the press presentation were reigning Miss Global Barbara Vitorelli of Brazil and reigning Miss Global Philippines Mary Ann Mungcal.
"We are very selective with this year's candidates. We have disqualified those who do not report during rehearsals and always late. The remaining girls are very determined and they really want to be part of Ms Global Philippines. Kung sino ang matitira siya ang matibay," she says. "These girls really worked hard to come this far. That's the result of their hard work."
Now on its 5th year, the grand coronation of the Miss Global Philippines 2018 beauty pageant will be held at the Cove Okada Manila on August 4. The winner will represent the Philippines at the Miss Global international contest later this year. - ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
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