The Philippines made another record in the pageant world as a Filipina contestant won the first-ever Miss Trans Global.
Mela Habijan won the title in a virtual ceremony on September 12.
Habijan beat 17 other candidates, including four fellow Filipinas. The other contestants were from Australia, South Africa, the US, Sweden, Nigeria, Uruguay, Ghana, Canada, and India.
She announced the news on Facebook, saying, “Pilipinassss, we won! We wonnnnnn!! We are the first-ever Miss Trans Globallll! Lordddd! Maraming marami salamat poooo!“
Habijan added, “Not your typical crowning moment, but I’m happy to be holding the hands of the best people in my life.”
On the website, Habijan said, “With things that have been said and done against the trans community, I’d like to stand before the world as a representation of what a trans person is, of what a trans person can, and what a trans person deserves.”
She added, “Having a talent in storytelling, I could forward compelling narratives of trans victories.”
Prior to joining the pageant, Habijan was a writer for The Buzz and Gandang Gabi Vice. She has also appeared in Magpakailanman and Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko.
Watch her video profile below:
The Miss Trans Global Pageant is described as “an international online pageant for trans & gender nonconforming people from all backgrounds, which was started to raise awareness on transgender and LGB issues around the world.”
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