TRANSQUEEN SCANDINAVIA 2026: KASS TAPIRU OF GERMANY WINS CROWN

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Courtesy of Fiona Soli's Facebook Account

On 02nd May 2026, the first-ever TransQueen Scandinavia 2026 was held at Varmesentralen in Fornebu, Norway. The historic event brought together 9 official candidates -each representing purpose and individuality- from across Scandinavia and Europe, namely: 

Samantha

Elise 

Jessie 

Kass Tapiru 

Kendall Ebo Te Bredesen 

Asunta/ Fritziemae Yee 

Fiona Solis 

Cassandra Havana Serdan 

Mitchelle 

ORGANISER AND THEIR MISSION 

Courtesy of the LGBTQ+ Filipino Norwegian Association's Facebook Account

Courtesy of the LGBTQ+ Filipino Norwegian Association's Facebook Account

The TransQueen Scandinavia 2026 was organised by the LGBTIQ Filipino-Norwegian Association, an inclusive organisation in Norway founded in 2014. They uphold a mission to empower, educate, and create a safe space for all whilst also celebrating the unique richness of Filipino heritage. 

This year's gala beauty pageant with a purpose was made possible by the support of sponsors, partners, and community members. Thus, it raised an impressive amount where the proceeds will continue to fund the LGBTIQ Filipino-Norwegian Association's charity and community-related work. I believe they have a mission to extend support to abandoned children and to the home for dying, destitute people in Cebu City, Philippines, as a collaboration with the Missionaries of Charity in Cebu City. 

THE GALA NIGHT 

Courtesy of the LGBTQ+ Filipino Norwegian Association's Facebook Account

Before the night of the gala pageant, the 9 official candidates participated in the following:

head photoshoots by Melanie Reyes Domingo;

intensive stage rehearsals; and 

group pictures

The night of the pageant was guided by Neil Nave and Edward Ainza, who thanked sponsors and partners as well as warmly welcomed the community. They also introduced the 9 members of the jury, who are mostly sponsors and who generously made the event possible. 

Courtesy of the LGBTQ+ Filipino Norwegian Association's Facebook Account

The candidates enthusiastically energised the audience with their denim- statement dance opening introductions alongside dancers from the Likha & P&P Crew. Thereafter, they showcased more of their vibrant personality in a series of appearances and displays: 

seductiveness in their sexy swimwear;

 artistry in their crafted creative costumes; 

unique talent presentations; and 

 classy and flashy floor-length evening gowns

MINOR, MAJOR AND SPECIAL AWARDS 

They all looked exquisitely glamorous and sophisticated as they gathered and emerged onto the stage as one. The candidates whose performances had shone throughout the event were recognised and presented with the following awards that have been known to me: 

Miss Photogenic 

Kass Tapiru 

Best in Creative Costume 

Kass Tapiru 

Best in Swimsuit 

Kass Tapiru 

Best in Talent 

Kass Tapiru 

Miss Congeniality 

Asunta/ Fritziemae Yee 

Best in Evening Gown 

Asunta/ Fritziemae Yee 

Best in Production 

Cassandra Havana Serdan 

TOP 5 FINALISTS 

Courtesy of Fiona Soli's Facebook Account

Of the 9 official candidates who celebrated themselves on stage, only 5 were chosen to continue in the jittery Question & Answer portion. The finalists, in alphabetical order, were: 

Asunta/ Fritziemae Yee 

Cassandra Havana Serdan 

Fiona Solis 

Kass Tapiru 

Kendall Ebo Te Bredesen 

Their wit and composure were tested by stage nerves whilst they contended for the pioneering title of TransQueen Scandinavia 2026. 

TITLE HOLDER AND RUNNERS-UP 

The final tabulation was signed by the jury members, sealed in an envelope, and handed over to the hosts. The unanimously decided and proclaimed pioneering euphoric title holder with her humble runners-up are: 

TransQueen Scandinavia 2026 

Kass Tapiru 

First Runner-up 

Cassandra Havana Serdan 

Second Runner-up 

Asunta/ Fritziemae Yee 

Third Runner-up 

Kendall Ebo Te Bredesen 

Fourth Runner-up 

Fiona Solis 

For most of the candidates, the gala pageant was never a competition nor a battle where you had to prove who stood above the rest. This is because they measured success by the new trusted sisters they gained, who would bring more positivity into their lives.

The above relevant details were excerpted from public Facebook posts. If any part of the information requires correction, please feel free to contact me and I will update it accordingly. 

Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) in England

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Courtesy of HOS

The Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) is a non-departmental public body of the UK Government's housing department. This means that the HOS is, as follows:

• independent of social housing landlords (e.g., housing associations, local authorities and managing agents);
• impartial in how it investigates and makes decisions regarding complaints; and 
• free service for residents (e.g., tenants, leaseholders, shared owners and others with a recognised right to occupy a residential property) 

When raising a complaint to the HOS, you must first raise the issue(s) with your landlord and follow their 2-stage complaints procedure to put things right. This is because the HOS will only consider a complaint that has been through the landlord's complaints procedure. 

Once complaints are considered, the roles of the HOS are to: 

• investigate disputes between social housing residents and landlords – i.e., registered members (either through mandatory or voluntary) of the HOS Scheme. You can find verified registered members on https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/landlords/; 
• make final decisions where they can require landlords to, amongst others, put things right, pay compensation or improve their service handling where non-compliance or maladministration is found; and 
• enforce the statutory Complaints Handling Code for social landlords, which came into force on 01st April 2024. 

Apart from investigating ongoing disputes, the HOS may also consider complaints if any of the following apply to you: 

• you applied for a property with a landlord that is a member of the HOS Scheme (Note: not through Local Authorities homelessness or housing application); 
• you have applied to succeed a tenancy, or you are the successor to a tenancy following the tenant's death (e.g., statutory succession rules in the Housing Act 1985 (ss87-90)/1988 ( s17) or succession clause in the tenancy): 
• you are seeking to take over a tenancy or mutual exchange, or have already done so; 
• you have matrimonial home rights – i.e., set out in s30 of the Family Law Act 1996; 
• you hold a court order or power of attorney (e.g. special power of attorney and lasting power of attorney) relating to someone in a landlord-and-tenant relationship (Note: additional evidence may be required if capacity to act is in question); and 
• you have signed authority to act on behalf of a resident (Note: refer to HOS Complaint Checklist – My Version and Based on Publicly HOS Guidance) 

Furthermore, the HOS also provides advice (e.g., guidance, information and support) in addition to investigating complaints about landlords. However, you must first raise issue(s) with landlords and follow their 2-stage complaints procedure. 

The HOS Complaint Checklist – My Version and Based on Publicly HOS Guidance, is not exhaustive but will help you assess your eligibility where further information, amongst others, will be required, as follows: 

• complaint reference number issued by your landlord; 
• copy of tenancy agreement; 
• copy of original complaint; 
• stage 1 response (if applicable); and
• stage 2 response (if applicable)

Thus, if any of the situations in the HOS Complaint Checklist – My Version and Based on Publicly HOS Guidance, apply to you, it is advisable to answer the HOS Questionnaires - Summary and Additions, in advance. 

Answering the HOS Questionnaires - Summary and Additions beforehand will ensure that you will recall key details, clarify goals and provide clear information before completing the actual HOS online complaint form on 

https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/online-complaint-form/

HOS Complaint Checklist (1-2)

HOS Complaint Checklist (2-2)

HOS Questionnaires (1-2)

HOS Questionnaires (2-2)

COMPLAINT FORM SUBMISSION

Once you have completed filling out the online complaint form (17 pages) and selected “yes” to receive a PDF copy, the HOS will email it to you immediately - provided you entered a correct email address. 

If you are unable to complete the form because you do not have the relevant supporting evidence to upload, you can save your answers for up to 14 days. Thus, HOS will send you an email with a link to return and complete the form later. 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT 

The HOS will conduct an initial check to confirm whether the issues you have raised fall within its scope of work. This will be passed on to their assessment team, which will allocate an officer. 

If your complaint is something the HOS can investigate, they will then decide the most appropriate approach to take with you and your landlord. The HOS aims to complete investigations within 12 weeks to 4 months (for high-risk cases) of the date the complaint is accepted for investigation. 

If you disagree with the HOS's final decision, you must request a review within 3 weeks of the determination being made. 

DECISIONS ARCHIVE

The HOS publishes outcomes 3 months after the final decision where resident identities are anonymised whilst landlords' names are published. Furthermore, the HOS releases new decisions every two weeks to uphold its commitment to openness and transparency. 

The above information reflects my understanding of the Housing Ombudsman Service. It is provided for general information only and should not be taken as legal advice. If you believe that any part requires clarification or correction, please feel free to contact me. Hence, it should not be taken as legal advice.