Miss Global Philippines 2018 pageant disqualifies 6 candidates

​Organizers of the Miss Global Philippines beauty pageant have presented to the media the 19 official candidates of Miss Global Philippines 2018 beauty pageant during a presentation held at West Avenue Suites in Quezon City.

This year's official candidates are Alexandra Moraga, Patricia Agapito, Marshy Chaudhry, Kaycee Dacquil, Eileen Gonzales, Krizoli Rosete, Sunshine Bantillo, Aleckxis Chuidian, Janella Manuel, May Adel Ahmed Salman, Aeryka Chu, Ziara Estrada, Glayzelle Ramos, Cheska Vinas, Regine Harriet Isorena, Charlene Duran, Dyan Shane Mag-Abo, Stephanie del Mundo, and Nicole Osuna Dichoso.

Pauline Sofia Laping, CEO and national director of Miss Global Philippines, said that the number of original candidates was 25. But six of them have been disqualified for various reasons.

"We are very selective with this year's candidates. We have disqualified those who do not report for rehearsals and always late. Another girl suffered a minor accident. The remaining girls are very determined and they really want to be part of Ms Global Philippines. Kung sino ang matitira siya ang matibay," said Laping. 

"These girls really worked hard to come this far. That's the result of their hard work," she added.

Laping also said that the Miss Global Philippines does not see accepting transgender women contestants despite new trends in the pageantry.

"This is a female pageant. That's why we empower women and only women. Transgenders, they had sex change. Kung magpapasok ako ng transgender, that means ma-o-over power ba tayo ng men. (If I will accept transgender women, that means we are overpowered by men)," said Laping.

"Now, ako, ang pinaglalaban ko mga kakabaihan. Pero kami tinatanggap namin ang single mothers. We give chance to them. (I fight for women empowerment. But we accept single mothers)," added Laping, co-producer of the Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse boxing bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last July 21.

Laping, whose pageant accepts single women and single mothers, also said that she will not be distracted by pageant critics.

"Ang mga critics laging nandyan. Hindi naman natin maiiwasan kung may masasabi ang mga tao. Basta for us, we will keep on doing what we do -- to empower women and promote Philippine tourism regardless of the criticisms that I have been hearing. I am here and I have my queens. So I don't have to say anything other than that. (Critics will always be there. We cannot avoid them)," she also said.

Now on its 5th year, the grand coronation of the Miss Global Philippines 2018 beauty pageant will be held at the Cove Okada Manila on August 4. The winner will represent the Philippines at the Miss Global international contest later this year. (Tyson Nessman)