MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The 15 delegates of the Miss Trans Global Philippines (MTGPH) 2022 show up in their glamorous arrival looks on Tuesday, May 17, at this year’s pageant venue – Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City, for the first day of pre-pageant activities.

Candidates from the different parts of the Philippine archipelago attended the Transcending Ceremony for their official sashing rite, kicking off the MTGPH 2022.

The top 15 finalists, together with MTGPH’s national directress Yanyan Araña (center), and LoveYourself director for programs and innovations Danvic Rosadiño, presented themselves before the media in a virtual press conference. A welcome dinner followed suit.

Ending Day 1 was an online show entitled “Meet the Queens,” with Duchess Global Albiean Revalde, hosted by LoveYourself transgender volunteer Miss Wanda – Franz Baylon. The show was broadcasted live via Miss Trans Global Philippines and LoveYourself’s official Facebook pages.

MTGPH 2022’s top 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).

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.

With support from the Global Fund PSFI-PROTECTS national grant for HIV and through the generous support of the American people to the Philippines through PEPFAR and USAID, the Miss Trans Global Philippines candidates will undergo rigorous training on HIV & AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, and transgender health. 

The candidates are also bound to campaign for different HIV services, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a pill that prevents the spread of HIV, and SelfCare, the country’s first-ever virtually assisted HIV self-testing service. They will also become part of the Transcend community of volunteers and advocates.

The Coronation Night of Miss Trans Global Philippines 2022 will be held on May 21 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 Spa, and Gian Henderson Masterpiece.

Written by Bet Domingo

Photos from LoveYourself iCOMM