Transsexual beauty queen crowned in Philippines

An unusual beauty pageant took place in the capital of the Philippines, Manila, last week. The pageant, Amazing Philippines Beauties 2008, was held to choose the beauty queen among transsexuals and transvestites.

Photo: Transsexual beauty queen crowned in Philippines

Angelika Santillan, 27, won the title of the most beautiful contestant from 25 other ‘women.’ Santillan stole her crown from her major rival, Rosa Garcia, 19, who came in as the first runner-up. Rianne Barrameda, the 2007 winner of the contest, awarded the crown to the most beautiful and amazing beauty in the Philippines.

Angelika was supposed to fly to Thailand on October 26, where so-called lady-boys are categorized as a separate sex, to represent her country at the international pageant Miss International Queen 2008. However, the visit was later delayed indefinitely due to ongoing riots in the country.

Miss International Queen is traditionally held in Pattaya, a popular tourist destination in Thailand . Transsexual individuals from dozens of countries in Asia, Europe and America participate in the pageant.

The beauty queens of such competitions receive smaller prizes in comparison with the winners of Miss World or Miss Universe pageants. They only receive a diamond-encrusted tiara (which they pass over to other winners every year) and a $10,000 bonus.

The contestants’ spending may often exceed the amount of the reward. Every contestant must present a national costume, a bathing suit, an evening outfit, a self-made costume, a strict black dress and underwear. The price of one stage dress only may often reach 30,000 or even 40,000 dollars.

As a rule, Miss International Queen is a pageant for Asian lady-boys, although transsexuals from Europe , the United States and Latin America come to Pattaya to participate in the event too.