Volume 19 • No. 11 • June 1 - 15 , 2023 Publication Mailing Account #41721512
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Celebrating Pinay Trailblazers
Credit: Sarah’sFacebook
Sarah Geronimo
Photo by Rey-Ar Now in its seventh year, Pinays Manitoba Inc. continues to celebrate the achievements of women who lead, inspire and motivate. The 2023 the Pinays Manitoba Trailblazer awardees (l-r) The Honourable Senator Flordeliz Gigi Osler, Atty. Alona C. Mercado, Azel Navarro and Jacqueline Monique Drapeau. Pinays Manitoba Trailblazer Awards, May 27, 2023, Viscount Gort Hotel, Winnipeg. See pp 12& 13
Days before she flies to Pattaya City, Thailand, to compete in an international beauty pageant, Adrian Reyes was still hard at work with rehearsals and needed preparations. The 28-year-old Winnipegger is the official Canadian representative to the Miss International Queen 2023, considered the world’s biggest beauty pageant for transgender women. Pilipino Express (PE) spoke to Adrian about her quest for the crown. PE: When or how did you become the official representative of Canada to Miss International Queen 2023? Adrian: March last year, I won my very first national competition, the Miss Philippines-Canada Queen Pride in Calgary. I believe this gave me an edge when I applied to represent Canada for Miss international Queen back in December, as well as my community work. January, I was informed that I was chosen to represent Canada. By March we started preparing. PE: Tell us about the preparations you’re doing. Adrian: First, I had to create a team. It consists of a trainer for my walk, trainer for the Q&A, for fitness, and my gowns. And I’m proud to say that all my gowns were made by local Fil-Canadian designers.
See ADRIAN p6