A new bisexual beauty pageant in the country is a resounding success

Mr Bi PH is a pageant with a heart and a purpose

On June 9, Friday, Kenz Myrel became the first-ever Mr. Bi Philippines (Mr. Bi PH). Held at the Tanghalang Pasigueno, Mr Bi PH is a pageant that promotes among other things, bisexual pride. It calls itself a pageant with a heart…and a purpose.

Organized by the Bi Pro Community of the Philippines (BPCP) and the Montefalco Familia, Mr. Bi PH aims to promote bisexual pride and HIV awareness. In partnership with ASP (Aids Society of the Philippines) and Pasig City Health Office Mr. Bi PH also provides a venue for free and confidential HIV testing.

Sixteen contestants vied for the title, which included three rounds: Preliminary, Semis, and the Final Five.

In the Prelims, the contestants competed in four segments: Philippine costume, casual, swim wear, and formal. In between the segments were energetic performances by BPCP members and of course by the candidates as well.

The Semi’s comprised of a casual Q&A, while the Final Five had to go through another round of interview.

From afar the event looks like the usual beauty pageant. A closer look will reveal the candidates to be men, vying to be the first Mister Bi Philippines 2017.
“After Mister Bi, we also wish to build confidence among the candidates so that they can openly express themselves to others,” said Lanz Alarcon Miranda Montefalco, the organizer of Mr Bi PH.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Backstage

Backstage, excitement was rife in the air. Intricately-designed props, feathery headdresses and bejewelled costumes adorned the dressing rooms. Makeup artists and wardrobe assistants hustled to and fro, preparing their candidates for the Grand Coronation.

Bottles of MAC primers, brushes, eyeshadow palettes and lip glosses were strewn across a foldable vanity. A few moments before the pageant, makeup artists were still retouching the faces of the candidates.

Despite the atmosphere of tension, the candidates and makeup artists were still animatedly chatting with each other.

Makeup artist Alexandra Kaysarap said that she wished that her ‘candidates’ would bag a place.

“Pero, sinabi ko sa kanila na huwag mag-expect. Enjoy lang. Iyon naman ang importante eh. Kapag gusto mo ang ginagawa mo, go lang,” she says.

Becoming a make-up artist or wardrobe assistant, according to Kaysarap, is voluntary. Even if there was no money involved, Kaysarap said that ‘it was all about passion’.

Indeed, passion has made Mr. Bi PH a resounding success.

WINNER TAKES IT ALL

(L-R) The winners are; Rocky Cruz (3rd runner up), Jace Cano (1st runner up), Kenz Myrel Santos (Mr. Bi PH), Nel Santos (2nd runner up), Jhei David (4th runner up); and Lance Lamparo (5th runner up)

Rolando (Jhei) David, Jr., a candidate from Pampanga City, commented on the cash prizes to be awarded to the winners at the end of the pageant. “Five thousand [pesos] is not enough to help my chosen charity. However, I’m going to collect all my winnings and donate them to Bahay Pag-Ibig,” he says, referring to a charity for aged people.

Little did Jhei know that he was going to win fourth runner up in Mr. Bi PH.

There were six winners in all: A grand prize winner and five runner-ups. 

Their prizes are pretty modest, but pulling such a pageant is already a feat for the organizers. A supporting organizer of the event, Renz Paltep of the Montefalco Familia, expressed surprise at the sheer crowds who attended Mr. Bi PH.

“We’re so overwhelmed. We didn’t expect that a lot of people would support us,” Paltep smiles. 

Paltep hinted that there might be another event like this, in collaboration with a bisexual women’s group, this coming October 2017. —LA, GMA News