A nursing graduate from Cebu was proclaimed Mr. Gay World Philippines 2021 during a virtual presentation held on Sunday, Aug. 8.
Joel Rey Carcasona, 28, bested 23 other candidates for the national title. He will represent the country in the Mister Gay World 2021 pageant.
Carcasona, who stands 5'6, currently works as a financial associate.
Asked to describe himself, Carcasona said: "I’m a person who never settles for mediocrity. I’m a goal digger. I always love to learn new things, do my best in everything that I do with passion until I reach my maximum potential."
His advocacy focuses on health, wellness and rights for the members of the LGBTQIA.
"I always believed that health and wellness is the most fundamental right everyone should have. However, unbelievable it may sound, most patients from the LGBTQIA are still having second thoughts on having themselves checked even just for a routine annual check-up. This is because of the mere fact that the deep-rooted stigma the said community experienced since time immemorial from the conservative society we once had. Because of this, most patients from the said community, our community, take their health for granted, thus being at the clutch of death. This scenario could have been prevented if only they have undergone routine check-up without fear of being judged," he said.
"In relation to this, I am spearheading a campaign for this advocacy by encouraging health care professionals that supports the LGBTQIA community to wear rainbow badges, pins and lanyards in their respective workplaces. These will somehow tell the patients from the LGBTQIA community that the healthcare professionals wearing badges, pins and lanyards are supporters of the community and will show full understanding and provide holistic approach to care.
"Healthcare professionals who will be wearing such will not only help my comrades under the allegiance of the pride flag to be more comfortable in having their annual consultation without fear of being judged, but also will assist them of being in total control of their health and well-being.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/25/in-photos-mister-gay-world-philippines-2021-official-candidates/
"As cliché as it may sound, health really is our society’s wealth. The country cannot move forward towards a fruitful future, without a 100 percent healthy and happy community."