MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Choosing the rightful titleholder of Miss Trans Global Philippines (MTGPH) 2022 lies with the panel of esteemed judges.

The judges of this year’s MTGPH include Philippine’s first-ever Queen Global Mela Habijan, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, who was also part of last year’s judging panel, EpiC Project Director Teresita Marie ‘Bai’ Bagasao, Mr. Gay World 2020 Kodie Macayan, former MTGPH’s national directress Janlee Dungca, and Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World 2018 awardee and LoveYourself founder and executive director, Ronivin Pagtakhan. Pagtakhan also sits as the head of the judging panel.

This year’s 15 finalists include (L-R, Row 1): Kyra Isabelle Antonio (Benguet), Zoe Black (Bulacan), Sway Cañete (Cebu City), Julie Yap (Cebu Province), Rojean Buhian (Davao); (L-R, Row 2): Maria Alexsandra Lopez (Ilocos Sur), Iris Magtibay (Laguna), Khristine Borres (Manila), Christina Kendra Mendoza (Naga), Jeffzel Bryle Raña (Nueva Vizcaya); (L-R, Row 3): Juno Guspio (Palawan), Nicole Silvestre (Quezon), MJ Visperas (Romblon), Edcel Santillan Meneses (Surigao del Sur), and Jam Cabico (Taguig).

The top 15 candidates will be scored according to these criteria: Regional Costume, Evening Gown, and Transcending Advocacy, before they will be cut down to top 5. Their swimwear was part of the Social Media Star criteria

Top 5 will be judged for their Transcending Campaign and Question and Answer portion.

Special awards will also be given, including Social Media Star, Best in Regional Costume, Best in Evening Gown, Miss Photogenic, and other sponsors awards.

Miss Trans Global Philippines serves as the local franchise of Miss Trans Global, a UK-based organization pushing for transgender rights globally. Here in the Philippines, LoveYourself’s arm for transgender advocacies, Transcend by LoveYourself, is spearheading the search for the country’s next rightful representative in the global pageant.

The Coronation Night of Miss Trans Global Philippines 2022 will be held on May 21 at Novotel Manila Araneta City to be live-streamed at 8PM through the Miss Trans Global Philippines and LoveYourself, Inc. official Facebook pages. 

The Miss Trans Global Philippines 2022 is presented by LoveYourself, Inc. and Transcend by LoveYourself; co-presented by Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by Hetero and ERO Condom, and powered by Spaces MNL, OwlRight Studios and Castro Communications. The event is also made possible by the generous support of the American people to the Philippines through PEPFAR and USAID.

The Miss Trans Global Philippines 2022 is also supported by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., PROTECTS, Champion Community Centers, PhilHealth, World Health Organization Philippines, UNAIDS, and Lauvette, with special thanks to Magnitude Wellness Massage and Spa, and Gian Henderson Masterpiece.

Written by Bet Domingo

Graphics by Geno Maglinao