By Ieth Inolino Idzerda
ImagesLeemar Ritual

HAVANA, OOOH NANA Cassandra Havana of Germany was crowned the first Miss Queeniverse

It was a night of spectacle with energy that only a beauty pageant with a room full of Filipinos could bring.

If not for the sun still shining at 9 p.m. (this is normal for European summer), it could easily be forgotten that the intense cheering was coming from the De Koning Events venue in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Fourteen candidates from seven European countries gathered the crowd for Miss Queeniverse, the first Filipino trans beauty pageant in Amsterdam. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s Filipinos showing up—for their families, their friends, their community, and the cause they believe in. And this is palpable from every corner of the room—from the banner that represented the candidate they were supporting to the applause every time the candidate they were rooting for sashayed in their creative costume, evening gown, or swimsuit.

YES QUEENS, SLAY! Second runner-up, candidate number 8 Kass (Hamburg, Germany); Miss Queeniverse 2023 Cassandra Havana (Grevenbroich, Germany); and first runner-up candidate number 5, Amari Wolfie aka Ariana Grande (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

The confidence of every candidate radiantly shone brighter than their sequin gowns and pearly white smiles. They were empowered. This is what Edson Gonzales, founder of Glam Infinity and organizer of Miss Queeniverse, was aiming for. “I’ve always wanted to organize a trans beauty pageant since it does not exist in the Filipino community in The Netherlands. I think that this is one of the venues for our sisters to speak, to promote visibility, and to prove how empowering they are. The impact of this event on the trans community in Europe is to inspire, to be more visible and relevant.”

On July 21, history was written when Cassandra Havana of Grevenbroich, Germany was crowned as the first Miss Queeniverse with Amari Wolfie a.k.a. Ariana Grande of Amsterdam, The Netherlands as first runner-up and Kass of Hamburg, Germany as second runner-up. Other awards were also given out—Luneta Ice Cream’s People’s Choice Award and Miss Atomy is Nikkita of Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Ubeness’ Miss Calmness is Mitchelle Agusto of Bonn, Germany; Miss Amsterdam Skin Care and Best in Evening Gown is Cassandra Havana; Miss Photogenic, Miss Charity, Best in Creative Costume, and Best in Swimsuit is Ariana Grande; and Best in Talent is Kass.

QUEEN’S COURT From left: Pieter van Overbeeke of PP Tours, Jannah Cossip of Gabriel Social, Jitty Salon chairperson Jitty Vasquez dela Cruz, model Joy Pagurayan Rennecke, and PRIDE Leader strategy and planning lead Bryan de Jesus

A panel of judges composed of prominent figures in the Filipino-Dutch community took on the daunting task of choosing the fairest of them all. They were hair stylist, makeup artist, and entrepreneur Jitty Vasquez Dela Cruz, fashion model, beauty pageant title holder, and Philippines’ Next Top Model Season 1 finalist Joy Pagurayan Rennecke, model, fashion and travel enthusiast, and entrepreneur Jannah Cosip, travel expert, actor, and producer Pedro Pinduko, and global pride leader and diversity, equity and inclusion advocate Bryan de Jesus.

It’s easy to get distracted with the glitz and glamor of a beauty pageant. But if you listen carefully, these beautiful ladies have something important to say. Candidate 7 Nikkita of Palma de Mallorca, Spain says a pageant enables them to experience the freedom they are fighting for. When Cassandra Havana was asked the final question—What character should the Miss Queeniverse have?—she confidently answered, “She should have a vision. I only have one vision and that is to make one community. No more LGBTQ community, no more straight community. Let us make a community where there is only one word: humanity. Because with that, we can appreciate that each one of us is equal, regardless of our culture, tradition, and even gender identity.” With these words, she secured the title.

From left: Luneta Ice Cream's People's Choice Award, candidate number 7, Nikkita (Palma de Mallorca, Spain), Ubeness' Miss Calmness, candidate number 11, Mitchelle Agusto (Bonn, Germany), Best in Evening Gown is candidate Number 13, Cassandra Havana (Grevenbroich, Germany), Best in Talent is candidate Number 8, Kass (Hamburg, Germany), and Miss Photogenic is candidate Number 5, Ariana Grande (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Another thing that makes Miss Queeniverse special is its advocacy. Filipino LGBTQAI+ in Europe is its beneficiary. Through Stichting Filipino LGBT Europe, they support the organization’s causes such as SOGIE Equality Law, marriage equality, Out & Proud, and HIV awareness.

Parts of the proceeds from this event supports the Filipino LGBT Europe-Academic Research scholarship grants for students in the Philippines.

The sun has finally set. Everyone is singing and dancing along while Filipino songs are being performed on stage at the after party. If you’re a Filipino in Amsterdam, it’s the kind of fun and familiarity you long for and you miss back home. Whether you’re Filipino or Dutch, you would definitely describe this event as gezellig—a Dutch word with no direct English translation but roughly translates to convivial, cozy, and fun.

Maybe this beauty pageant is the cherry on the cake or the diamond on the crown.