Photo courtesy of Dannydan and GAPA.org

This was the first time I’ve ever heard of the 4 Bs – Beauty, Brains, Behavior and Business. As a pageant fan(atic), this question was asked at one of the myriad pageants here in the Philippines, which one of the 4 Bs would you choose and why?

(Tapping those two inch acrylic nails on the table) – Am waiting . . . . .

Dunno if I’ve shared this before but I’ve won a drag pageant back then in 2002 called Runway in San Francisco, California. There are two winners – one each for Mister GAPA and Miss GAPA. GAPA stood for Gay Asian Pacific Alliance. There’s the cursory pageant themes of empowerment, be yourself, and lift the Gay Asian experience, yet it was also a lot of hard work and dedication. The theme was Hawaiian. I believe I won because of the final Q & A. A no name judge told me later that he ranked me 4th because of my casual corner shoes during the evening gown segment. Nope, I did not cut the ceremonial ribbons on grocery store grand openings nor did I get interviewed on the various networks. It was fun performing on the Asian Stage at Pride weekend and at the old Ntouch Niteclub with Jocelyn Enriquez.

I remember the times where I had to scurry to Macy’s 3rd floor and look for the body-fitting Diane Von Fursternberg wrapped front-looking cocktail dresses for an event on the weekend, try them on discreetly in an unofficial dressing room with polyurethane mannequins ghoulishly staring down at you, then pay them at the cash register for people to see. I just say, “It’s for my sister, we are the same size.” Let’s just say the $500 cash prize wasn’t enough to pay for make up, sequin and rhinestone embellished gowns and the trusty Victoria’s Secret skin-tight black Maillot. My colors were Black and Red. Wink.

Behavior. I chose that particular B because being Miss GAPA, I had to literally come out of my shell and show the world that there’s a fierce Asian drag queen who can do everything. Just Do. That’s my motto. Two simple words that pack a punch. I learned to keep my mouth shut but when needed, use my voice to talk about coming out and fight discrimination. Yes. Those are still relevant in this day and age.

Oh, lest I forget, I also won a drag pageant back then in 1988 (Gasp!). I was the 2nd Miss Universe Masquerade on a pageant filled with Pinoy volleyball players (mostly nurses, med techs and doctors) held in this high school auditorium (Lane Tech) in Chicago, Illinois. I remember one disgruntled loser raised her voice and uttered the words, “That bitch won because the judges were too far from the stage.” She said it at an earshot away from me while I was doing my wave at the audience, acknowledging their applause while I am shocked I beat the designer who had paid oodles of money to the organizer as ‘entry fee,’ ahem. I shrugged it off and told her a few months later that if I won, what were the judges thinking of her if the stage was that far and she still lost?”

Not showing off. Just reminiscing. It is not something I’d share with the grandchildren, mind. I don’t have the body I had in 1998 and 2002 anymore but I still have that competitive nature in me to be the best, well not the best, but trying to be the best. Right now, my focus is Thesis, Tennis and Macjoe and me. That’s all I could hope for.

Get it?

Behavior

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