CONGRATULATIONS to Joel Rey Carcasona, 28, of Cebu for winning the Mr. Fahrenheit and Mr. Gay World Philippines 2021 virtual finals from among 24 contestants from the LGBTQI+ Community.
A finance associate who is also a nurse, Carcasona advocates for a more friendly setting for health care personnel that will make the LGBTQI+ community feel that they are allies in health and wellness.
“I recommend that our health workers wear rainbow badges so that our brothers and sisters from the LGBTQI+ community are aware that the medical team is there to help them without fear of discrimination or rejection,” said Carcasano.
During the competition, Joel Rey was asked: “A mother is often described as the light of the home; the father as the pillar of the home. How would you describe the role of the gay person in the family?”
“A gay person in the family has the same role as any other siblings. We give care, we give love to our parents. That’s why I want to participate in this competition because I want to get the crown. Because a crown is a symbol of empowerment. If I will be a title holder, I will be able to encourage everyone who struggled and worked hard for societal acceptance that they can contribute something to their family. At the end of the day, if I’ll be able to get this crown, it’s not just the crown I want to wear, but also a crown I want to share,” he replied.
Carcasona succeeded Leonard Kodie Macayan, last year’s winner. Kodie and Rey will compete in the virtual finals of Mr. Gay World 2020 and 2021, respectively, this October.
The virtual national search was produced by Wilbert Tolentino, the first Mr. Gay World Philippines in 2009 and currently its national director.
***
Congratulations is also in order for Miss Supranational Philippines Dindi Lacayo Pajares for being the first runner-up to Puerto Rico’s Karla Guilfu at the Miss Supranational Elegance, a sub contest of the 12th Miss Supranational now being held in Malopolska, Poland and concurrently with its male counterpart, Mister Supranational.
The finals of Miss Supranational 2021 will be held on August 21 while Mister Supranational 2021 on August 22.
