Trans from Tisa to represent Ph at Miss Int’l Queen 2022
“Love it when a candidate out of nowhere gets to blindside those touted to be as frontrunners,” quipped one netizen of Fuschia Anne Ravena one-upping early favorites and familiar names in Philippine trans pageantry during Sunday’s finals of Miss Internati
Another one called the beauty from Barangay Tisa, Cebu City a “pleasant surprise” especially to the judges that included Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold, Miss Grand International 2020 first runner-up Samantha Bernardo, Mandaue City Treasurer and lawyer Regal Oliva, and globally renowned fashion designer Cary Santiago.
Ravena bested 23 other candidates vying to represent the country to the topmost transgender pageant in the world – the Thailand-based Miss International Queen. With her win, she will wear the country’s sash come June 25 in Pattaya, Thailand where this year’s finals will be held.
Placing first runner-up was frontrunner Anne Patricia Lorenzo Diaz of Manila, followed by Shane Lee Ahn of Barangay Inawayan, Cebu City as second runner-up.
In a social media post following her win, Ravena shared, “The past few weeks have been one of the most challenging phases in my life. Only a few people know what personal battles I have to go through going into the final stretch of the Miss International Queen Philippines pageant. It was a challenge to keep my focus but still, the show must go on and I have to put up a smile, stay strong and have faith in my creator.”
“To all the ladies who are equally beautiful, talented and empowered, which turned to a family, we are heard,” she added.
In a pre-pageant video entry, Ravena named her father as her greatest influence as he “accepted me for who and what I am.”
Her father’s concern for stray animals rubbed off on Ravena early as she explains in her advocacy video entry for Miss International Queen Philippines. She currently takes care of 10 cats, calling them her “source of life.”
“I grew up watching my father buy fast food so we can feed homeless animals. His initiative inspired me to come up with Save A Stray Sunday, a project I started two years ago that I’m proud to say has grown bigger and better,” says Ravena, who believes that everyone should “Be kind to every kind.”
“Every Sunday I go around and feed stray animals. Thankfully with the help of some friends, we were able to take this project outside Cebu City and we were able to help more animals. With this, I hope to inspire more to do the same especially in these challenging times where many are hungry. The simple act of giving food or shelter to homeless animals can do wonders and save lives.”