By Mark Vincent A. Durano

Far Eastern University (FEU) transgender beauty queens Jerome Sanchez and Nicole Serrano Escoto were crowned as the inaugural second and fourth runners up of the ‘Queen of Bekshie ng Maynila 2024,’ respectively, at the Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros last December 12.

Both from the Department of Communication, Batch 2024 graduate Sanchez and third-year student Escoto first won their district-wide stint to represent Districts 4 and 2, respectively.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Sanchez highlighted the sisterhood she formed with Escoto which she hopes can inspire Tamaraws to unleash their full potential while spreading kindness.

“Me and Nicole were able to show that there is a sisterhood in pageantry. Yes, we are competitors technically, but we never consider each other in that way. We promised that we will be happy for each other’s success no matter what and we were able to show that in that very stage,” she said.

Moreover, the 22-year-old alumna shared her main goal of being on the Queen of Bekshie stage without expecting any crowns.

“I said to myself that I just need to be there to be known and recognized, but I’m grateful that the universe provided more than what I expected,” Sanchez expressed.

Moreover, Escoto plans to amplify her cause by utilizing her platform.

“I’ll pursue representing the marginalized people under my advocacy and to promote diversity in our community. I’m aiming for the LGBTQIA+ community to be accepted well by our community,” she mentioned.

Both title bearers gained the confidence to represent the trans woman community among Tamaraws, proving that they can also excel in pageantry.

During her stay in the University, Sanchez led multiple roles in student organizations, asserting the importance of her gender identity.

“I was able to represent [the] trans community in many stages and avenues and this is a testament that leadership [isn’t] define[d] by gender and you can go beyond the limits as long as you believe in yourself and stick to your values as a human. Trans visibility and trans representation is important because we can show that we are more than just for [the] creative industry, we can do more because we are limitless,” she stated.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Escoto took pride in being an FEU student, especially during the elimination round.

“This victory reflects not only the performance that I gave, but also how FEU shaped me to become a linebacker of the people under my advocacy. My victory will encourage not only my compatriots, but also the people who are facing self-doubts and being challenged by societal standards,” she added.

The fourth runner up also credited the FEU community who let her showcase authenticity to inspire more young people to embrace themselves.

Aside from extensive training, both Morayta-based candidates put on a one-meal-a-day diet and gave up personal time for shoots and meetings.

Beyond the pageant scene, the two Communication Tams also cited using their platforms, such as social media, to spread their advocacies.

Sanchez campaigns for mental health and has joined various academic and non-government organizations for this support, while Escoto aims to combat colorism as she experienced bullying for her skin color.

Gracing pageants for a decade, Sanchez has been previously crowned in local pageants in Region III as ‘Miss Gay Zambales Festival Queen 2024,’ ‘Miss Gay Millennial Zambales 2018,’ and ‘Queen Pearl of The Orient 2019.’

Escoto just started joining pageants this year with Queen of Bekshie ng Maynila being her third stint. She placed 4th runner up in ‘Queen of Lope de Vega 2024’ last October.

(Photo courtesy of Jerome Sanchez’s Facebook account)