Panata 2024: LGBTQIA+ community expresses devotion, faith to Black Nazarene through pageantry
Devotees of the Black Nazarene have different ways of paying their devotion and faith to the holy image. For some, it is the annual Traslacion, but for the LGBTQIA+ community, they expressed it by strutting the runway, making spaces, and inspiring others through pageantry, calling it their "panata."
After three years of hiatus, the annual and highly anticipated year starter for transpageant enthusiasts, Miss Gay Quiapo, is back last Saturday, January 6, at Brgy. 306 Zone 30, Quiapo, Manila.
Besting 53 equally beautiful candidates from different parts of the country, Yeng Lavitoria from Panique, Tarlac emerged as this year's titleholder alongside her court, Karen Montecillo of Manila, Bulacan's Yuki Ito, Negros' Tamira Ivonne Willis and Jek Dela Cerna from Antipolo City, respectively.
Lavitoria, who joined the pageant for the second time and clinched the Third runner-up in 2020's edition, said that MGQ is part of her "panata" as a "kontesera."
"Back then, I was not recognized and nobody knew my name, but this stage gave me something. It amplified who I was, so I am very thankful for Quiapo for such pageant," she expressed.
Lavitoria exudes beauty and brain upon answering her final question: "What is your biggest fear in life and why?"
She answered, "You know what Ladies and Gentlemen, the definition of fear itself is something that we don't want to happen to us. Kinakatakutan natin, a lot of people, do not want fear, however, I believe fear is something that is essential in humans. Why? because it controls [you], whether you should go further, or whether you should stop. Kung kailangan mo bang ilaban ang isang bagay dahil natatakot ka, or kailangna mo magstep back dahil ayaw mong gawin ang isang bagay."
"However, as an LGBTQ member, being brought up in this world with tons of fears and being considered taboo, my biggest fear in life is not making a statement with my life itself. Ladies and gentlemen, [in] every single part of my life, I have been discriminated and hated, and [in] this life itself, I am going to make something out of it that a lot of people would pull over the experiences that I've had, but my greatest fear is to die and not make a change, with the life that I have right now as a transgender and a part of the LGBTQIA+."
"That's why I am deleting this fear, by simply standing on this stage, by telling [the] young LGBTQIA+ [or] every single person, 'Huwag po kayong matakot sa mga gagawin niyong pagsubok sa buhay dahil 'yan ang magpapatapang sa inyo, 'yan ang maghuhulma ng isang matapang na indibidwal na gagawin ang lahat ng kaya niyang gawin, na hindi lamang para sa sarili mo, kundi para sa lahat ng tao. That is why ladies and gentlemen, let us all conquer fear, as fear is created for us not to be afraid of life, but for us to look up to God, na kapag natatakot tayo, magdasal tayo para magkaroon tayo ng lakas ng loob upang harapin ang rurok ng tagumpay at ipaglaban ang bawat isa."
In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Lavitoria said joining this pageant taught her the beauty of resilience and the strength that comes from perseverance, which devotees of Black Nazarene are known for, especially during Traslacion.
"As I stood there finally adorned with the coveted crown, my heart overflows with gratitude. Winning after a second attempt teaches me the beauty of resilience and the strength that comes from perseverance. Each step of this unique pageant journey was a lesson and the crown is not just a symbol of victory but a testament to growth, determination, and the unwavering support of my incredible team and supporters," she told L!fe.
Lavitoria shared that she decided to join the pageant again after four years as part of her "panata."
"After four years, I decided to join again this year only as my panata to the Poong Nazareno in Miss Gay Quiapo Manila because it is a celebration of authenticity, diversity, power of embracing one's true self and, more importantly, the basbas we contestants receive this experience has enriched my life in ways words can't capture," she said.
Pageantry as an avenue to express faith and devotion
Transgender beauty queen Patricia Payumo joined MGQ for four consecutive years in the belief that joining this competition will give her pageant journey fortune this year.
"Some trans icons have a superstitious belief that bagging a minor or major award from this pageant is said to give you a good start/fortune for the year as a kontesera," she said to L!fe.
Payumo was also known as one of the candidates who could nail minor awards. In case you didn't know, she recently bagged three minor awards, such as Best in National Costume, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Long Gown, earning her a spot in this year's semi-finals. She also clinched the Best in Swimsuit Award in MGQ 2019 and 2020 and Best in Long Gown in 2018. In the former year, she was hailed as the Second Runner Up.
But more than the crown, what keeps Payumo joining in the annual pageant is her faith, devotion, and the "sisterhood" she has built with the other candidates.
"Being part of the so-called 'panata' for four consecutive years is an example that winning the most coveted crown is not as important as the sisterhood that I have built & established among queens in my generation, pioneer queens and neophytes," she said.
This also rings true for Montecillo, who hailed as the First Runner-Up for this year's edition, and MGQ 2020's Casey Paculan.
"Kaya sya tinawag na panata kase isa s'yang blessings sa mga contesera na tulad ko na kahit matalo makasampa lang sa Ms. Gay Quiapo ay mabe-bless ka ng bongga ay'un kase yung mindset ng lahat na win or lose basta yung laban mo iaalay mo sa Poong Nazareno magiging blessing talaga ang buong taon mo."
"'Cause its like we pledged to gather every year kaya we considered it panata, it took me 3 tries bago manalo. Honestly it seems like joining and winning Miss Gay Quiapo is associated with some kind of luck, kasi nung nanalo ako sa quiapo grabe sunod sunod ang wins ko sa pageants," Paculan said.
Meanwhile, Paul Mark Buendia hailed as PoGay Quiapo 2024, the male counterpart pageant of MGQ.
Traslacion 2024
The Quiapo Church is eyeing to have its annual procession celebrating the Feast of the Black Nazarene once again after three years of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every January 9, Manila erupts to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene, with the image making its way along the streets of Quiapo while millions of Filipino devotees attend the procession. It is then displayed at the Quirino Grandstand before returning to the Quiapo Church.
This year's celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene will begin with a Thanksgiving Procession on Dec. 30 at 11:30 p.m. followed by a series of Misa Novena in honor of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno from Dec. 31 to Jan. 8 at the Quiapo Church.
Several activities are also scheduled at the Quirino Grandstand, starting with a mass at 6 p.m. and the opening of "Pahalik" on Jan. 6. On Jan. 8, there will be a vigil and program at 6 p.m. On the day, Jan. 9, Archbishop of Manila Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Jr. will lead the misa mayor at midnight.
The event will also be live-streamed via the Quiapo Church YouTube channel for those who would want to witness the procession in their homes.
