Twenty-three-year old Trinity Hufana of Guam was crowned the winner of the first Queen Marianas Gay Pageant held at the Hibiscus Hall of Fiesta Resort & Spa in Garapan Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Hufana bested six other candidates in the beauty and brains competition organized by A Ge\u2019la & Friends Production Inc.<\/p>\n
The environmental services technician at Guam Memorial Hospital impressed the three judges\u2014Vorasuda Luna of DFS Saipan and Palau, Laila Boyer of Marianas Variety, and Chrimsona Kaiser from Guam\u2014with her answer in the Q&A portion.<\/p>\n
Each of the top five candidates were asked, \u201cIf crowned Ms. Gay Marianas tonight, how will you carry yourself and what are your plans to be an active member or contributor of society?\u201d<\/p>\n
A pre-operative transgender, Hufana responded by saying that she will carry herself with respect despite the existence of those individuals who cannot accept them for who they are. \u201cWe are humans and we will always be here. We are here to stay,\u201d said Hufana, eliciting a roaring approval from the audience.<\/p>\n
In an interview after the pageant, Hufana said she didn\u2019t expect to win the coveted crown.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt even came as a big shock to me to be included in the Top 5,\u201d she told reporters. \u201cIt feels good knowing that the contest is not about one\u2019s size but about your willingness to help. So it\u2019s really special for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what makes her stand out from the other candidates, Hufana exclaimed, \u201cI won because I\u2019m fat!\u201d<\/p>\n
Hufana, who arrived on island Wednesday for the pageant and left yesterday, said the event brought about more awareness about gays and, at the same time, fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fun to get together, have some good fun, and enjoy each other\u2019s presence,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
During her reign, Hufana plans to further promote her advocacies. She is an active volunteer for the Guam\u2019s Alternative Lifestyle Association, an LGBT group, and the manager of the Untouchables House of Diosa, an entertainment group that helps remove the stigma of negativity for transgenders.<\/p>\n
Tinian\u2019s Payne Evangelista was declared first runner up and took home the Best in Fantasy Costume for her remarkable Filipiniana dress sponsored by Serenity Salon and Spa. Saipan\u2019s Miranda Kar, meanwhile, won second runner up.<\/p>\n
Special awards were also given to Kim Kardashian who bagged Ms. Photogenic, Best in Lingerie, and Best in Evening Gown; and Milkshake, who was voted Ms. Congeniality.<\/p>\n
Production numbers during the pageant were provided by Demalynn Sablan, Project Impact, Kit Kat Crew, Rose Dance Group, Best in Talent winner Kardashian, and Joe Limes of KKMP.<\/p>\n
John Manalo and Frankie Elliptico of the Northern Marianas College served as tabulators while Roxanne Weaver served as the host.<\/p>\n
Proceeds for the pageant, which attracted 140 spectators who enjoyed a delicious dinner buffet for the $25 entrance fee, will be donated to Operation Home Front, said A Ge\u2019la & Friends Production Inc. president Elsa Duenas Nieto.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big issue. There\u2019s a war going on and our military personnel are deployed in different parts of the world. Even though you see a lot of support for the military, there\u2019s not a lot of dedication for them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Nieto said they were surprised to see a really good turnout for the pageant, considering the economic challenges in the Commonwealth these days.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe plan to do this every year and we plan the children\u2019s ward at the hospital as our next beneficiary,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Nieto, who worked with the candidates for eight months in preparation for the pageant, said she is proud of each one of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey all improved their skills in so many ways and educated themselves about current issues in the Marianas,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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