Queen of Cebu City Pride standouts in festival costume

CEBU, Philippines — Jes Rodriguez from Barangay Pasil, Cebu City and Jessica B. Bajenting from Lahug were standouts at the Queen of Cebu City Pride 2024 Festival Costume competition, held Wednesday, June 26, at the SM Seaside City Wing.

Organized by the Cebu City LGBTQIA+ Federation, the two-year-old pageant’s Hair & Make-up and National Costume Competition saw 22 transgender women showcasing colourful costumes that represented their barangays.

Rodriguez, 20, was named Best in Festival Costume for her Tuslob Buwa Festival-inspired ensemble created by Pacifico “Butchoy” Ngipin and supported by the PAGLAUM organization.

“There were some problems with my costume. It was only completed two days before the event due to budget issues,” Rodriguez shared. “It was really expensive, but I’m so happy it turned out great.”

Declared first runner-up as Channy Mendez from Barangay Tejero, while second runner-up was Erin Suralta of Barangay Kamputhaw.

In the Hair & Make-up competition, Bajenting’s makeup artist Mark Justine Abucay from the Ublalo Organization in Lahug was selected as the winner.

Abucay shared, “I based the makeup on the eagle costume, adding stones and pearls to complement it. The eyeshadow colors and the details had to fit perfectly with the costume.”

First runner-up in the makeup category was Leigh Ortiz from Barangay Tisa, while second runner-up was Naya Marie Coquia from Buhisan.

Juergen V. Maxilom, overall chairman of this year’s Cebu City Pride Month Celebration, said the event aimed to promote equality, diversity, and self-expression.

“By enhancing their skills and talents, we help develop their personalities, making them equipped and sustainable individuals for the future,” Maxilom said.

Shine Bathan, one of the judges, emphasized the criteria for the makeup competition, noting the importance of matching the candidate’s skin tone, blending, and cleanliness. For the costume category, relatability, creativity, and representation of the municipality were key factors.

“It was really enjoyable because this is my field – fashion, creative makeup artistry, and fashion dressmaking,” said Bathan, who is representing Cebu City in the upcoming Queen Philippines pageant.

Queen of Cebu City Pride 2024’s finals will be held tonight, June 28, at the Sawang Calero Sports Complex. – Neicol Elirey Rosel