Jonas Gaffud, creative director for Miss Universe Philippines, has reacted to the possibility of allowing trans women to compete at the Miss Universe Philippines beauty pageant.

"If our law allows it. Right now it doesn’t. They cannot change genders on passport or birth certificate. It is not easy I know but hopefully more understanding will come to light in the near future," said Gaffud when asked about trans women in MUP in an exclusive chat recently.

Recently, the Miss South Africa pageant announced that it would allow transgender women to compete in the premier contest.

“Trans women are eligible to enter the Miss South Africa pageant,” read the Miss SA organization announcement on its website. “However, in order to be eligible to compete internationally, the contestant must be in possession of a valid South African ID document reflecting that their amended sex is female.”

**Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo**

Gaffud is on an extended vacation in the US after he watched the 69th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Hollywood, Florida last May 16.

The pageant expert is expected to arrive in the country this June in preparation for the 2021 Miss Universe Philippines beauty contest.

Gaffud groomed some of the country's successful beauty queens, including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Lynne Young, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.

The annual Miss Universe Philippines pageant will select the country's next representative to the 70th Miss Universe Competition, which will be staged either in December 2020 or January 2021.

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Will Miss Universe Philippines accept trans women entrants? Pageant guru Jonas Gaffud reacts