Gay activist wins Hiyas beauty contest

Gay activist wins Hiyas beauty contest

A 39-year-old accounting graduate whose outspoken stance for gay equality in the multi-cultural city of Toronto has received numerous positive commendations from different communities, bested six other equally-talented finalists to romp off with the coveted 1st Hiyas ng Pilipinas Canada Gay Beauty Pageant title held November 11, 2005 at the Korean Cultural Community Center, 1133 Leslie St., Scarborough.

Lorraine Tagalog, who was born in Cebu City, Philippines where she got her BS degree in accounting, was crowned Hiyas ng Pilipinas Canada (Gem of the Philippines Canada) by Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman and Philippine Consul General to Toronto Alejandro Mosquera after a 2 ½-hour-long program where she also copped the Best in National Costume, Best in Swimwear and Best in Evening Gown special awards categories.

Produced by Ms. Teresa Mendoza-Torralba of the Philippine Variety, in cooperation with U-MAC Express cargo, the Department of Tourism-Wow! Philippines-Canada, The Philippine Courier, PAL, Shangri-La Hotel, The City of Manila, Remax-Rubi Talavera Team, PNB Money Remittance-Canada, A.S.A.P. Travel, the Hiyas Gay Beauty Pageant would be an annual affair which mission and objective would help alleviate the status of Filipino gays in Toronto and the whole province of Ontario.

The panel of judges was composed of Dr. Eric Domingo, Mr. Ted Dayno, Atty. Tony Villarin, Dr. Belle Tumbokon, Mr. John Tanjangco of Tourism-Canada Office, Ms. Chiquita Atienza-Amante and veteran Toronto media man Jess Cabrias of Atin Ito.

Lorraine, also an active Member of Board of Director of the Silayan Community Center in St. Jamestown, Downtown Toronto, would be going to Manila via PAL with her entourage that include Miss Hiyas-Luzon Jennifer de Leon (also Miss Friendship), Miss Hiyas-Visayas Maricar Rivera and Miss Hiyas-Mindanao Joanna de Leon as part of their prizes.

The four winners would also enjoy a four-day stay at the world-class Boracay resort aside from staying at the 5-Star Shangri-La Hotel after making a courtesy call on Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza and turning-over the used wheelchairs and walkers donated by different institutions here in Toronto and to be delivered to the beneficiary Tahanang Walang Hagdan in Manila by FOREX Cargo of Mr. Ted Dayno.
Other winners included Ms. Sharmaine Aranas, Miss Hiyas Kalikasan (Miss Earth) and also awarded Miss Community Service trophy; Ms.Yoshi Pe Benito, Miss Hiyas Luzon; and Ms. Maui Maregnen, Miss Hiyas-Toronto.

The winners also receive a bouquet of flowers and a trophy each courtesy of sponsors like Cucina Restaurant, Urbancorp., Belle Optical, Mila Merana of the Golden Gate Group, Kenway Dental Care of Dr. Eric Domingo, Overtime @ Danforth KTV-Restaurant, Radyo Pinoy, JCLink Financial Group and Handmade Cabinets.

(PRESS RELEASE)