Pilipinas Canada held the first ever Miss Queen Filipino Canada beauty pageant at the Polish Cultural Centre April 15, 2018.
Marketed as “the first gay pageant in Calgary and Alberta for Filipino Canadians with social relevance,” the competition was comprised mostly of gay men cross-dressing as females and trans women showcasing their talents.
Twelve Filipino contestants from across Canada competed for a cash prize of $2,000, a trophy, sash and scepter. Several participants were from Calgary and others were from Toronto, Vancouver and other Albertan cities like Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
In addition to interview questions, contestants were judged in three categories of dress futuristic costumes, creative fantasy swimwear and gowns.
The night included dance numbers and singing in between dress categories.
Co-organizer Hanelette Domingo was excited to be able to bring the event to Calgary.
“We have so many sponsors and so much support,” Domingo says. “I hope that we can hold it again next year.”
The panel of judges were prominent Calgary Filipinos including Vida Vispo, a twenty-something pinay who is well versed in the pageant world. Vispo has competed in a number of pageants and won Ms.Turismo Petite-Teen Intercontinental in 2013 and Miss Philippines Alberta in 2016.
She was impressed by the contestants, noting some of them have been in Canada for only six months and are very articulate and up to date on current events.
“They are all so smart and very witty” Vispo says. “They know current events even though some of them have only been in Canada for a few months.”
Trish Soner, a charismatic trans woman from Medicine Hat came out on top. Soner took the top prize and several other awards such as most photogenic, best in swimsuit, and best in gown. Soner’s effort was evident in her elaborate styling during the event, which included an LED colour-changing futuristic costume and a winged swimsuit reminiscent of a Victoria’s Secret angels runway show.
Soner explains that the pageant was not really a competition but more of a learning experience, and a way to bond with other like-minded Filipino Canadians.
The contestants were in Calgary three days before the actual event and were able to get to know each other.
“It’s the friendship, the experience and the memories that I will cherish and treasure for the rest of my life,” Soner says.
Soner is a strong proponent of gender equality and sees the pageant as a way to shed light on the issue. She aims to share her advocacy to inspire, influence and empower the LGBTQ community.
“Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, you can be a valuable member of society and contribute in many ways” Soner says. “If people are more tolerant and accepting we can work together to make the world a better place.”
