Hundreds of Ilocano Filipinos on Sunday celebrated Christmas in New Taipei City with dance, music, rap performances and an all-male beauty pageant.
In the “Ang Brad Kong Beauty Season 3” competition 13 men dressed as women strutted in casual wear, swimsuits and evening gowns, and gave solo talent performances to the enthusiastic cheers of a crowd of about 500 people at a community recreation center in Banciao District (板橋).
Each contestant represented a subchapter of the event’s organizer, the Taiwan chapter of the Confederation of Ilocano Association Inc Samahang Ilokano (CIASI).
The winner, 28-year-old Allen Guevara of the subchapter in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District (岡山), said he prepared for three months for the competition, and enlisted help to find his dresses, makeup and wigs.
The pageant reflected the unity and camaraderie that went into organizing the event, CIASI international sorority president Jacqueline Reyes said.
The event opened with remarks from visiting CIASI heads, including Reyes, who came to Taiwan for the celebration.
She encouraged young Filipinos in Taiwan to save their money and plan for their futures.
“OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] go abroad because they want to elevate the status [conditions] of their families. So while you’re abroad, don’t give everything back home,” she said. “You must save some money for yourself and prepare for the future when you go back home.”
CIASI founder and international chairman Julius Magno said he hoped Filipinos could become a more integral part of Taiwanese society.
He urged members to try to make friends and build connections with Taiwanese, especially those in the business community, and not isolate themselves by only interacting with Filipinos.
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