PH's Patricia Payumo named Miss Star International 2024
Filipina beauty reigns!
Another Filipina waved the country's flag in the international pageant scene as Patricia Payumo bagged the title of Miss Star International 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Dec. 14 (PH Time).
Payumo, who became the first Filipina transgender woman to win the title, bested 21 other delegates from all over the world. She succeeded Miss Star International 2023 Veso Golden from Nigeria.
Meanwhile, USA and Costa Rica emerged as this year's first and second runners-up, respectively.
In a Facebook post, the Pinay trans beauty queen expressed gratitude towards the people who helped her in her journey.
"Mapaghimalang Jesus Nazareno, lahat ng hiniling ko sayo, ibinigay mo. Maraming maraming salamat sa lahat ng naging parte ng aking munting pangarap. Matagal kong pinangarap na makapagbigay ng karangalan sa mahal kong Pilipinas," she wrote.
Payumo added, "Hindi pa din ako makapaniwala dahil maka-ilang beses akong sinubukan ng panahon bago ako magtagumpay. Walang paglagyan ng saya at pasasalamat ang puso ko. Maraming aalamat sa inyong lahat."
During the Top 3 question and answer round, Payumo wowed the audience as well as the judges as she answered the question, "As a transwoman, what was the biggest challenge that you had to face in your life?"
She emotionally answered, "The biggest challenge that I had to face not only as a transwoman but a human being, is when in August 2020, I was clinically diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and this was because I was bullied online and it was a tough experience for me because it was during the pandemic and I was on my own."
"I had no one but my dogs with me, so I believe this experience is something that I could use to empower those people who feel afraid and can't defend themselves, whenever someone tries to bully them. So to those, being bullied online, or in person, all I can say to you is just be you, do you because life opens up when you do."
Moreover, Payumo strutted the runway in a sexy Christmas-themed costume featuring a light white ball and a Parol-like backdrop, accentuated with flowing white fabric, making her like a Christmas goddess on stage.
Payumo was appointed the country's representative in the 2024 Miss Star International, formerly Miss Trans Star International. This pageant is known as the "most prestigious" beauty pageant for transgender people in Europe. It was first held in 2007 in Madrid and moved to Barcelona, Spain, in 2010.
