Filipina transgender Mela Franco Habijan was named Miss Trans Global 2020 during a virtual coronation ceremony held on Saturday night.
“Pilipinassss, we won! We wonnnnnnn!!! We are the first-ever Miss Trans Globalllll! Lorddddd!!! Maraming, maraming salamat pooooo!!!” Habijan said in a Facebook post confirming the news.
She said she was extremely happy “to be holding the hands of the best people in my life” when it happened.
According to its official website, Miss Trans Global “is an international online pageant for trans & gender nonconforming people from all backgrounds to raise awareness on transgender and LGB issues around the world.”
The website said the winner of Miss Trans Global will be the community’s spokesperson and will work digitally to influence positive changes internationally.
“They will work closely with activist organizations such as TransValid, TransBeauty Magazine and many more to raise money, educate and inspire transgender people globally,” the website said.
Before joining Miss Trans Global, Habijan was a writer at ABS-CBN, an actress, a performer, an entrepreneur and an LGBTQ advocate.
