Newly-crowned Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin Balot had one big wish: to be accepted as a transgender by her father.
In an interview with Luane Dy on GMA Network's “Unang Hirit” morning news program on Monday, Balot said her wish finally came true as her father now accepts her sexual orientation.
“Okay na. It’s fine,” said Balot, 21, who was crowned Miss International Queen 2012 in Thailand's seaside resort Pattaya on November 2.
Balot, who joined an international beauty pageant for the first time, bested 21 other candidates from 15 countries.
Balot was also awarded Miss Photogenic.
Balot received a grand prize of $10,000 and a crown from a well-known gem store in Thailand. She will represent the transvestite pageant in numerous occasions.
Four Filipinos including Balot joined the pageant but only two made it through the final 10.
A Filipino fan said winning a transvestite contest in Thailand, the land of "lady boys," was like winning a soccer tournament in Brazil.
In an interview with reporters after the event, Balot said, "I'm very proud to be first here, and I hope my dad will accept me. Because in the family I'm the only boy, and my dad has big expectations of me. I made it. I won the International Queen Pageant, and I believe that my dad will accept me not only as his son but also as his daughter."
On "Unang Hirit," Balot said, “Ever since naman talaga okay na talaga pero noong before meron talagang complication kasi only boy.”
Balot said her father was longing for a son because she was the only boy in the family.
Now Balot and her father have already put their differences aside.
High expectations
Balot explained that she had long been planning to join the international contest.
"Oo, actually talagang matagal na pinagplanuhan ito ng mga friends and manager ko,” she said.
However, her friends told her not to expect anything to avoid becoming disappointed if things don't turn out as she wishes.
“If you expect a lot you invite more disappointment,” she said. “Kaya nag-enjoy lang ako. I had great camaraderie with my co-candidates coming from other countries.”
She said she became good friends with the candidate from Thailand.
Asked what she thought made her win the contest, Balot cited a Thai blog that said she stood out in the swimsuit and question and answer portions.
For the talent portion, she also said that she danced “Gangnam Style” by Korean rapper PSY who is now an international sensation.
Movie offers
Balot confirmed that she has several movie offers in Thailand after the conclusion of the pageant.
However, she said it is up to the pageant officials to decide which projects she will be working on.
In her message to her fans, Balot said: “To all the fans that have been supporting me ever since maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo.”
She also thanks her family and friends for the “undying support” that they have given her.
Balot also acknowledged the Thai people and their hospitality while she was in their country.
There are 14,954 Filipinos in Thailand based on the 2010 Stock Estimate of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.- VVP, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
