Originally written June 2016
In the Philippines, the importance of beauty is never underemphasized. Past beauty queens such as Pia Wurtzbach have received attention commonly reserved for astronauts and Olympic medalists in countries such as the United States. Regularly scheduled programming is interrupted by news tickers flowing at the bottom of television screens across the country featuring updates of pageant results. Not only is the pageant circuit a desirable career and lifestyle path for women, but it is also a viable option for many born male. As many boys traditionally aspire to become athletes, in the Philippines, a country ridden in socioeconomic disparity, success as a beauty queen offers a fast track from poverty to fame and fortune.
Homosexually and/or transvestitism /transsexuality/transgenderism is perhaps more accepted – if not more apparent – than in many western countries, not because of laws and legal provisions that protect sexual minorities, but by the prevalence of GBLTQ culture. Unlike the United States where many gay events remain on society’s fringe, celebrities such as Vice Ganda and Boy Abunda are television personalities often seen on television…