Pia speaks out about transgender beauty contestants

Philippines’ representatives in different beauty pageants in the country and globally had their fair share of perception on the subject, and this time, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015, or as some netizens brand her, the queen spoke up. (File photo) (Photo: Pia Wurtzbach/Instagram)

Hear ye, hear ye! Brace yourselves for the queen has spoken.

The beauty pageant community and its fans have been buzzing different sentiments and views about transgender women’s participation in the prestigious Miss Universe.

Philippines’ representatives in different beauty pageants in the country and globally had their fair share of perception on the subject, and this time, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015, or as some netizens brand her, the queen spoke up.

“We also have to remember that that’s a lifelong process for you to become a transgender and for you to identify as a woman,” she said in an exclusive interview with Philippines’ Ultimate Showbiz Hub (PUSH).

According to the beauty queen, she always knew that transgender women were allowed to join and win the Miss Universe pageant and that she admires the resilience and strength of these transgender contestants.

“Hindi naman ‘yan like (It is not like) one day she just decided na (that), ‘You know what, today I’m going to be a woman. I want to be a Miss Universe.’ It’s not like that. For all we know, baka sa pagkabata pa lang niya (maybe it is something that rooted from childhood),” Pia continued.

The subject of transgender contestants competing has been the talk of the town ever since Spain made history after crowning Angela Ponce as the first transgender woman to win the title of Miss Universe-Spain.

Philippines’ representative to the prestigious pageant Catriona Gray, has earlier mentioned in a previous interview with ABS-CBN that such topic is an “uproar” among pageant fans because it is a “very young discussion about the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) and especially coming from a traditional [view] in the arena of pageantry.” However, she stressed that she does not have any problem with competing with a transgender.

[READ: Catriona Gray says she’s fine competing with a transwoman in Miss Universe]

“If that contestant who may be transgender can go through the casting process, become a candidate, get judging, and earn the right to represent her country, then why not?” the beauty queen uttered.

“Who are we to say, ‘You know that’s wrong.’ I mean it’s the discretion talaga of the organization,” Catriona added.

Speaking of the Philippines’ bet this year, what does the queen think of Catriona?

“I think we have a very good chance at Miss Universe with her. She’s a very well-rounded person, sobrang ganda, matangkad (really beautiful, tall) proud to be Filipino. I mean what more could you ask for?” Pia said in the interview.