Mark Anthony Bacongan is proud member of the LGBTQ community (walang hiya hiyasi bro!). He joined almost all the bikini contests (sampa lang nang sampa!), confident as he is with his looks and physique. (I-try ko nga rin yan! )
“May mga nag-iinvite kasi sakin sumali. Yung iba alam kung ano ako, yung iba naman hindi. So, game lang,” Mark said. (Game na tayo, bro?!)
He eventually tried his luck on TV contests. I remember him when I was part of “Eat Bulaga’s”“Quiz Vee,” a game show for gay contestants. He was one of the participants. (‘Di ko makakalimutan yung suot nyang Kuya Germs-inspired suit!)
His very first gig was in 2014 via “It’s Showtime’s” “Mr. Pogay.” That one paved the way for him to join Mr. Gay World Philippines pageant. (Lakas maka-beauty queen!)
“I joined Pogay to get a sense of achievement and para ma-prove ko sa mga tao lalo na sa pamilya ko na kaya ko. Bukod pa dyan, pinakahabol ko po talaga is yung cash prize kasi makakatulong yun sakin at sa pamilya ko,” Mark said. (Parang gusto kong magpahabol sayo, bro!)
Mark later on tried his luck on “Umagang Kay Ganda’s”“Bikini Model” contest and he got the title (daming nakatagong bikini nito!). But his followers got shocked when he joined “It’s Showtime’s”“Ms. Q and A” contest joined mostly by transgenders/transwomen (level up ka bro ha!). He even received the People’s Choice Award. (Ikaw na rin napili ko, bro, para sakin!)
“Sumali ako sa‘Miss Q and A’ kasi bukod sa malaki ang prize, I wanted to prove to people, especially sa mga taong hindi naniniwala sa kakayahan ng isang bisexual, na ang ginagawa ng isang trans ay kaya ko din.
“Aside from the memories I have of my ‘Miss Q and A’ journey ay masasabi kong binago nito yung takbo ng buhay ko.” (And I thank you!)
Mark has set his eyes on show business.
“Given the chance to enter showbiz,i-ga-grab ko agad. Di ako maarte,kahit anong role. Na try ko na mag extra sa movie at teleserye many times kaya may experience nako. Pero mukhang gusto ko rin yung mga indie films!” (Ipa-grab nakita, bro!)
Mark is active on Twitter under the handle Mark Abrenica. (May screen name patalaga?)
“Mas madaming supporters ngayon saTwitter. Lalo na ngayon lockdown, Twitter yung bumuhay sakin at sa pamilya ko. Twitter din ang dahilan bakit nagkaroon ako ng business narental ng gowns at formal suits na ako nag-design. Kasi syempre pagtanda ko, dapat may pagkakakitaan pa rin. Salamat din sa Twitter kasi nagkaroon ako ng house and lot.”(Kailan mo ko dadalhin dyan, bro?!)
Years from now, he hopes to achieve this dream for his family.
“Pangarap ko simple lang: Yumaman at maging stable sa buhay para sa pamilya ko. Nakikita ko yung sarili ko five years from now na naabot ko na yung gusto ko. Like, may sariling negosyo, may sariling bahay, at higit sa lahat successful businessman.”(Basta sama mo ko sa mga pangarap mo, bro!)