CEBU, Philippines - If she could, Titania – the queen of fairies in William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – would gladly descend from her throne so she could crown Cebu’s first Reina Diosa (Queen of Fairies) in a pageant that will culminate in tomorrow night’s coronation, 7 p.m. at the Mariner’s Court in Pier 1.
Thirteen transgender and transsexual women will vie for the Reina Diosa crown, which also entails a huge responsibility, that is, to advance the advocacies and causes for the betterment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender or transsexual (LGBT) community. She will also be bringing home P15,000 in cash plus prizes from sponsors, including a cosmetic surgery of her choice courtesy of Dr. Ferdinand E. Lacson.
This year’s finalists, who represent the fairies of Greek mythology, are RC Velasquez (Diosa Artemis), Paula Cobra Luizen (Diosa Hestia), Angel Marie Madrigal (Diosa Sabrina), Paula Menchavez (Diosa Demeter), Reyna Montecillo (Diosa Antheia), Almo Jerky (Diosa Athena), Rubie Alesna (Diosa Dione), Hannah Garcia (Diosa Thalia), Iya Anne Sierra (Diosa Helen), Kinley Chayada (Diosa Asteria), Mahdison Rain (Diosa Medusa), Chelsea Diane Mendoza (Diosa Hera) and Ashley Valdez (Diosa Aphrodite).
Reina Diosa of Cebu’s main aim is to show to the world the beauty, wit, wisdom, and power, as well as the skills and talents of these T-women (transgender or transsexual women) goddesses, which will hopefully promote total societal acceptance and adherence of equal rights, privileges and respect from other individuals regardless of gender preference.
Since it started in September, the Reina Diosa pageant has already exposed the candidates on different activities such as the one-day immersion at the Gasa sa Gugma of the Missionaries of the Poor, a congregation founded by Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, where the ladies treated the elderly with food and entertainment.
The candidates also graced a fashion show called “Pink September Affair” at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu in celebration of the breast cancer awareness month. The fashion presentation also featured the creations of today’s amateur and fast-rising Cebuano designers. Last week, the finalists faced off in the talent competition at the Casino Filipino Teatro at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. The Best in Talent winner will be announced on Sunday.
Reina Diosa of Cebu 2016 is written by Razzure Nathan S Zal, directed by Sherece Villegas and produced by Rhodel Silva of MoonWalk Cebu. Performances from Jessie Glova, Abegail Padilla, The Boys of PGD, and Sherece’s Angels will be seen on tomorrow’s coronation night, which will be hosted by Ash Urdaneta and Yuri Richards.
For ticket queries and reservations, please like the Reina Diosa 2016 Facebook page and send your message. (FREEMAN)