Winning the first-ever Miss Gay Kawit 2021 feels like heaven for Angel Sebastian from Brgy. Manggahan after he claimed the title during the pageant’s coronation night held at Tangulan Arena on Friday, June 18.
Sebastian, a third-year information and communications technology student, received ₱10,000 cash prize after he bested 17 other candidates in the four-hour pageant which was streamed at town mayor Angelo Aguinaldo’s official Facebook page.
The 24-year-old stunner emerged victorious after he impressed the judges during the question-and-answer portion.
When asked of what the essence of the Pride month for him is, Sebastian said: “[A]ng kahulugan ng Pride month ay patunayan sa lahat na kaya naming mga bakla [na] itayo ang aming mga bandila.”
“Hangga’t wala po kaming tinatapakang tao dito sa ating lipunan, walang kahit na sinuman po ang may karapatan na kami ay laiitin, saktan o hindi tanggapin dahil naniniwala po ako na bilang isang bakla, kami ay bakla na nilikha ng ating Poong Maykapal,” he continued.
Sebastian then explained how a crippled ₱1,000 bill keeps its value, likening it to the plight of his fellow members of the LGBTQIA++ community who experience hate and discrimination.
Moreover, during his advocacy speech, Sebastian said winning the pageant will enable him to support his project of setting up a community pantry and distributing relief goods for the less fortunate at their barangay.
In an interview with The Cavite Rising, Sebastian said that he did not expect to win the crown as the competition made him nervous.
Nonetheless, he was happy that he gave it his all.
“Sobrang naging pressured po kagabi kagabi kasi almost 2 years po ang pahinga ko sa contest kaya sobrang kinabahan po ako. Bago po i-announce yung nanalo, kinakabahan po [ako] sobra kasi magagaling sumagot ang karamihan pero nung ako na yung tinawag na tittle, sobrang saya ko po kasi sobrang daming nag-expect sa pagkapanalo ko po kaya ginawa ko din po talaga ang best ko.”
Sebastian, who has been joining pageants since he was 17 years old, also received the Best in Casual Wear award.
He also expressed gratitude to God, to his family, friends, and to other people behind this success.
Earlier at the competition, candidates who vied for the coveted crown showcased their ramp skills wearing their swimsuits, casual attires, and Filipiniana-inspired long gowns.
Other pageant winners were Heart Mae Perez from Brgy. Marulas (first runner-up) and Lance Trixie Garcie from Brgy. San Sebastian (second runner-up) while other special awardees are Francesca Viance from Brgy. Pulvorista (Miss Photogenic), Mikay Pato from Brgy. Toclong (People’s Choice Award), and Kim Ramirez from Brgy. Samala (Best in Beach and Filipiniana Wear Awards).
