Bb. Pilipinas Now Open To Transgenders
Next year, due to adjustments in the rules of Miss Universe competition. The Binibining Pilipinas, the one sending Miss Philippines are welcoming Transgenders to join the pageant nex
Teresa Mangahas, Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager of Araneta Center, Inc. said that they respect the decision of Miss Universe organizers.
"We respect the decision of the Miss Universe Organization to change its policy regarding transgender participation in the pageant. At the moment, however, we are still awaiting the guidelines of this policy decision from the Miss Universe Organization," said Tessa Mangahas, Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager of Araneta Center, Inc.
This developed as officials of the Miss Earth beauty contest said transgenders are not allowed in the Miss Earth pageant, one of the contests rivaling the Miss Universe competition.
"We have religions here that are really conservative. We're talking about Muslims, Christians, Catholics. So I don't think it will happen in the near future," said Lorraine Schuck, chief executive officer of Carousel Productions, which handles the Miss Earth pageant.
"I don't think we're ready for that yet, especially the Philippines," said Peachy Veneracion, vice president of Carousel Productions, in an interview over ABS-CBN.
The Miss Universe contest changed its rules and allowed transgender women to compete in the pageant starting in 2013.
The new rule came after Jenna Talackova, 23, a contestant in this year's Miss Canada Universe pageant, was disqualified because she was not a natural born female.