MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Day 3 of Miss Trans Global Philippines 2022 focused on different advocacies.

The top 15 finalists visited two community centers that offer trans-specific services: Lily by LoveYourself in Parañaque City, and Victoria by LoveYourself, which is the country’s first-ever community-based trans-focused clinic located in Pasay City.

Nurse Adrian Dela Cruz of Victoria by LoveYourself in Pasay City discusses basic sexual health information to Miss Trans Global Philippines 2022, together with Miss Trans Global CEO and Founder Sahhara Iris. Nurse Bubbles Rosos also gave the candidates a quick session on SOGIESC and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

After the community tour, the delegates participated in different training sessions for sexual health, trans health, and other HIV-related services, equipping them with informational tools to become empowered advocates for the causes that the Miss Trans Global Philippines pushes for.

Lily by LoveYourself staff Jairussalem Banta provides HIV 101 with Miss Trans Global Philippines 2022 candidates that visited their community center in Parañaque City. The candidates also had a session with Hub Manager Tanya Laguig on the HIV Epidemic focusing on the transgender women population, and SOGIESC, and an inspiring talk on transitioning journey with Dr. Angel Batongbuhay, who is one of LoveYourself’s trans health doctors.

In particular, some of the topics include the basics of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), how to use a SelfCare kit with a demonstration, transgender rights, and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

On Day 2, the candidates had a photoshoot campaign to promote the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), an HIV prevention pill, and SelfCare, a self-test kit. The promotional materials will come out even after the pageant is over, providing a platform for them to continue the advocacy beyond the realm of pageantry.

Candidates from (L-R) Surigao del Sur, Cebu Province, Manila, Davao, and Naga are having fun during their group shoot for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a pill that provides protection against HIV.

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

Delegates from (L-R) Quezon, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur, Cebu City, and Taguig poke fun with each other while preparing for their sponsor shoot for the EpiC Project, which was made possible by the generosity of the American people to the Philippines, through PEPFAR and USAID.

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.

“We are PROTECTS,” the battlecry for the video shoot echoes through the beauty of candidates from (L-R) Palawan, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Cebu City, and Laguna.

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

Photos by Transcend by LoveYourself team