TRANSQUEEN SCANDINAVIA 2026: KASS TAPIRU OF GERMANY WINS CROWN

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Courtesy of the LGBTQ+ Filipino Norwegian Association'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 6 members of the jury, who are mostly sponsors and who generously made the event possible. 

From left to right
Wendy Olsen,
Elise,
Samantha, 
Cassandra Havana Serdan,
Kass Tapiru, 
Kendall Ebo Te Bredesen,
Maria Tersten,
Fiona Solis,
Manny Aquino,
Sue,
Alek Bergen and 
Sigmond Drummfelt 
Courtesy of Fiona Soli's Facebook Account

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

Dance Opening Introductions with Likha & P&P Crew
Courtesy of the LGBTQ+ Filipino Norwegian Association's Facebook Account

Denim- Statement
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 swimsuits;

 artistry in their crafted fantasy costumes; 

unique talent presentations; and 

 classy and flashy floor-length evening gowns

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

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 

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

Best in Fantasy Costume 

Kass Tapiru 

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

Best in Swimsuit 

Kass Tapiru 

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

Best in Talent 

Kass Tapiru 

Miss Congeniality 

Asunta/ Fritziemae Yee 

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

Best in Evening Gown 

Asunta/ Fritziemae Yee 

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

Best in Production 

Cassandra Havana Serdan 

Social Media Award

Fiona Solis 

Miss Darling of the Crowd

Fiona Solis 

TOP 5 FINALISTS 

From left to right
Cassandra Havana Serdan, 
Kass Tapiru, 
Asunta/ Fritziemae Yee, 
Fiona Solis and
Kendall Ebo Te Bredesen 
Courtesy of the LGBTQ+ Filipino Norwegian Association'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. 

THE IMPERTURBABLE MISS AMAZING MIDLAND 2019: THE BATTLE OF THE QUEENS

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens
Miss Akiko Mae Obillo

It was on a gloriously sunny day when I began my train excursion from London Euston station to Birmingham New Street station. Half way on my journey, the balmy weather suddenly changed; the nippy air coming from the outside windows vacillated on the train. I could feel the chill around my shoulder and unfortunately, I had no way to make myself snug. The consequence of forgetting my thin jacket on the back seat of the car and for not incorporating it beforehand in my rucksack. On a brighter side, it wasn't that freezing cold and was passable enough to bear until I reached my destination. 

I was heading to the venue of Birmingham- Sandwell West Midlands Filipino Festival (formerly known as Birmingham- Sandwell West Midland Fiesta Celebration) in Bearwood's Lightwoods Park when the nature's refreshing drizzle ensued. A very invigorating about-face from the usual hot and humid weather during summertime in the United Kingdom. Most of the carefree visitors in the park didn't mind the abrupt presence of the fine rain. However, we didn't anticipate that it would leaped into a cats-and-dogs weather condition. Thankfully, the heavy rain moderated and the scheduled time for the Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens kicked-off.

On the 06th of July this year, the cheerful personalities and kindling voices of the hosts, Alexandra Marie Diaz and Julious Labao, on stage initiated the commencement of the 1st day of Birmingham- Sandwell West Midlands Filipino Festival. A 2-day exclusive event in Birmingham and Beyond by the BFBCV (Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers) to which the gasconade pageantry of Miss Dayanara Mesmeize, the chairperson of Dayanara Marques de Araneta Production, for transgender women was the highlight on the 1st day.

The cheerful personalities and kindling voices of the hosts
 Alexandra Marie Diaz and Julious Labao

During the commencement, the hosts called upon the crowd's attention for the customary introduction and remarks. Amongst these were, the acknowledgement of the invaluable BFBCV officials and their chairperson; the presence of bountiful sponsors as well as to welcome the humanitarian activist and the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough councillor, Ahmad Bostan. Subsequently, the crowd was also diverted to a few intermission numbers from the energetic adolescent dancers; the melodic voices of youngster singers and the riveting talents of the Chinese community performers, Moon Dancers, before the pageantry set in motion.

The invaluable BFBCV officials and their chairperson

The humanitarian activist and the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough councillor
Ahmad Bostan

The panel members of the jury and the chairperson

The crowd was awakened and to stimulate it more, the panel members of the jury and the chairperson for Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens were welcomed one-by-one. Thereafter, from the eight (8) predisposed candidates came the bravura display of their fabulous SEXY FANTASY COSTUMES.

It indeed reassembled the mood of the slumberous crowd and revived the oblivious element within their neck of the woods. In order to maintain the response of the crowd, while the candidates were carefully removing their costumes at the back of the stage for the next show off, the attention then veered to the Chinese community duo performers and the compassionate voices of sibling singers. 

The ignited and unruffled candidates were chronologically called upon on stage by the hosts. This was the impish spectacle and not a complete flip-side of their sexy costumes. Each candidate buoyantly pranced on stage at their own pace whilst wearing titillating SWIMSUITS.

The candidates were all invited to appear on stage in one elongated line whilst facing the crowd. Then, the hostess, Alexandara Marie Diaz, gaily asked the crowd if they would like to see the gulping traditional 360-degree turn around. In particular, to catch a glimpse as to who amongst the eight (8) candidates had the physically fit and hourglass figure as well as the buffet booty. Who do you think flattered the eyes of the jury and unanimously won the Best in Swimsuit title?

The raw scoresheets for the swimsuit were collected by the tabulation committee. While the candidates vamoosed the examining eyes of the crowd, a few intermission numbers followed. Like the teenyboppers dance group who gained resonant cheers from the adolescent audience and the funky dance group in which a few BFBCV officials were involved. Their bouncy moves on stage vibrated in the surroundings.

After the “Dangerous” dance music with the BFBCV officials, the laid-back candidates were presented to the crowd and carried out individually their prepped TALENTS on stage.

The funky dancers with the BFBCV officials were back on stage but this time, they were whimsical dancers. They donned themselves in colourful and playful Hawaiian costumes. Along with and who also blew away the crowd, were the enchanting voices of the “Wiggins Sisters” and a solo young singer who winsomely tuned a Filipino song entitled “Buwan” by Juan Karlos Labajo.

After hearing a nationalistic song with poetic lyrics, the candidates glamorously appeared one by one on stage wearing their intricate design EVENING GOWNS. All of them elegantly walked with their body fitting flowy gowns.

After brandishing classiness in bearing their evening gowns, each candidate was requested to appear back on stage for the jittery Question & Answer section. A big round of applause to all of the candidates for retaining self-composure and standing with immense level-headedness.

To give everyone a a break from the more cerebral Question & Answer, a raffle draw then took place which were supervised by the hosts and a BFBCV official on stage. The lucky winners were called upon to collect their substantial prizes. Congratulations to all the fortuitous visitors! On the other hand, Ambie Da Diva and another performer dynamically entertained the crowd in their vocal range.

The candidates were given sufficient time to prepare themselves for the ultimate round. This was the grandstand and ostentatious appearance of each candidate whilst wearing exquisite FILIPINIANA GOWNS.

They were all called back on stage and upon assembling as one, a depiction of very colourful photograph emerged!

The time was ticking but the tabulation committee wasn't finished yet in calculating the scoresheet for each category. That is why, the upbeat crowd was entertained by a few spontaneous performances.

When the tabulation committee had finished calculating the scoresheet for each category, the chairperson handed over the prepared envelopes to the hosts. In each envelope was the unanimously decided winner for each category. The computation of each raw scoresheet acquired from the jury was administrated by its chairperson, Miss Amanda Roberts, and assisted by Bianca Carreon, Jazmine Fabregas and Maria Samantha Mendez. Here are the vanquishers for each category:

Best in Fantasy Sexy Costume 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo 

Best in Swimsuit 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo

Best in Talent 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo

Best in Evening Gown 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo 

Miss Intellectual

candidate #6, Miss Thalia

Best in Filipiniana 

candidate #6, Miss Thalia

Darling of the Crowd 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo 

At the event, during the announcement of a particular special award to the winning candidate, the Tabulation committee of the Dayanara Marques de Araneta Production made an unfortunate error. This was the unfortunate error in the Best in Swimsuit scoresheet which was discovered during the awarding and after the event.

The regrettable error that was discovered after the event by the chairperson, Miss Dayanara Mesmeize, was formally rectified in a form of official statement and public apology. In particular, to proclaim that the legitimate winner for the Best in Swimsuit of Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens, was candidate number 8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo.

Here is a transcript copy of Official Statement and Pubic Apology of Dayanara Marques de Araneta Production and its Tabulation Committee together with the BFBCV (Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers) Chairman and Officials.

Click to enlarge image

After the hurly-burly scene on stage, during the announcement of special awards, the unanimously decided runners-up and the crown holder of Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens are:

2nd Runner-up 

candidate #3, Miss Iwa Moto Hardy

1st Runner-up 

candidate #6, Miss Thalia 

Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obill

It was a successful pageantry despite the “come rain or shine” weather condition, so it followed the programme of events. It gave an opportunity to a few rising performers within the Filipino community and Beyond. However, it was also a disheartening extravaganza as there was no “side-by-side" photograph of the runners-up and the crown holder. It would have been a virtuous representation of the imperturbable image for Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens and the LGBTQI+ community.

The chairperson and organiser ofDayanara Marques de Araneta Production
Photo courtesy of Dayanara Mesmeize's Facebook account

Our utmost THANK YOU to the chairperson and organiser, Miss Dayanara Mesmeize, for conceptualising and producing this beauty pageant for the past 4 years to date. This has been her core platform in raising immense awareness of the resolute presence and the profound beauty of the transgender women in the community of Birmingham and Beyond.

A rumour was disseminated that Miss Dayanara Mesmeize will never organise this iconic extravaganza again in Birmingham. This year is her last conceptualised engaging beauty pageant. We are hoping, in the course of time, that she will reconsider her decision that was prompted by insinuations and feeling under pressure from bad feelings in some quarters.

QUEEN VICTORIA'S BAKED ADOBO

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Adobo is a very popular Filipino cuisine, which involved stewing with vinegar. In the late 1500s and early 1600s, the Republic of the Philippines was colonised by the Spanish, who encountered an indigenous cooking process, which they then referred to as 'adobo'. A Spanish word for seasoning or marinade.

This is a meal that uses sauce and seasoning on meats. The common way of cooking this recipe is to fry the meat first in oil and add the sauce mixture afterwards.

In this recipe, I grilled the meat and then, baked it in the oven! !

Main Ingredients:

• 3-4 pork chops
• a dash of salt & pepper Grilling

Sauce Ingredients:

• 4 tbsps. of Soy Sauce
• 2 tbsps. of Wine Vinegar
• 2 tsps. of Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 ½ tbsps. of Extra Virgin Oil
• 1 teaspoonful of ground pepper
• ¼ tsp. of cayenne pepper
• vegetable stock granules to taste
• a pinch of mixed herbs
• 1 medium-sized onion, cut into 4 (separate each layer)
• 2 cloves of garlic, crashed
• 2 medium- sized potatoes, peeled and cut into 4 

Sauce Preparation and Cooking:

1. In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, wine vinegar, worcestershire sauce and extra virgin oil until well blended.
2. Add the ground pepper, cayenne pepper and vegetable stock granules that serve as additional flavours.
3. Sprinkle the mixed herbs in the mixture. Mix all until well combined.
4. Cook the mixture in a saucepan on a moderate flame for 2 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
5. Add the garlic, onion and the potatoes.
6. Cook again for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Cover the grilled meat with the sauce mixture.

Grilling and Baking Procedure:

1. Thaw your meat, if needed.
2. Preheat the grill to 110ºC.
3. Using your chopping board, place the meat on it and rub it with salt and pepper.
4. Prepare a cooking dish (Pyrex-glass cooking dish is good), grease it with oil and lay the prepared meat on it.
5. Place it under the grill for 30 minutes. Turn it over every 15 minutes to grill the other side. While waiting for the meat, prepare the 'sauce mixture' below.
6. Once the meat is grilled and both sides are cooked, remove from the grill.
7. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the meat.
8. Place it in the oven and BAKE for 10-15 minutes. Adjust the heat to 90ºC.
9. Once cooked, dish it out of the pyrex-glass and you can use either your choice of traditional food serving bowl or the tomfoolery saucepan to present it on the table.

MY KITCHEN, MY RECIPE!

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Ten years ago I only weighed 40 klgs. with a waistline of 2_ inches. Wish I still was but I will leave it to all of you about the measurement of my waistline. 

I could still vividly remember that I used to buy my clothes, most of the times, at the children's department; which were a lot cheaper. I was that tiny and slender before and knew the meaning of hardship when I was living in the capital city of the Philippines. Literally speaking, it would take me about 3 hours to reach my destination when I used to commute from my sister's house to work and vice versa. I have to say that my physique and most especially my booty benefited from all of the hardship. I commuted for 6 days in a week during which I had different time schedules and used 3 types of self-powered motor vehicles. Imaginatively, I was the walking superwoman version of my favourite fictional character superwoman (Lol!). After all, it was the joyride of my life! 

Those memories are now well kept in the left hemisphere of my brain which I frolickingly treasure: from time to time and will until my last day on Earth. Psychologically, it isn't very good to live in from past recollections and then, as we may just completely abandon how lovely it is to be in the now. After all, who we are today is the by-product of our colourful past?

Inevitably, I missed my waistline more than my weight and its because it was very very small. My love for cooking and eating, in general, supplemented my weight with another 10 klgs. and buttressed my waistline to a grown-up woman. Yes, I do miss my waistline (what a picayune!) but the additional klgs. means, given my height that I belong to 'Healthy/Normal Weight' category as per the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. I am happy to say!

You are what you eat... 

Having my own kitchen with a great selections of ingredients within a hand's reach and then, cooking without restrictions has led me to love the art of preparing food. Which is why, from altering the ingredients, to cooking the dishes in my own ways has become very enjoyable. Undeniably and of course, the eating with their distinctive and delicious flavours. 

Without further ado, here are my versions of Filipino (mainly) dishes as an efficient cook...

(Superfood Shake)

 

(Cassava Cake: Before and After)

   (Coconut Milk Marinated and Oven-Grilled Pork: After and Before)

 (Classic Cascading Beef Lasagne)

  (Coconut Milk Marinated and Oven-Baked Pork: Before and After)

(Pork Adobo and Bicol Express)

(Seafood Paella)

(Pinakbet and Savoury Scones)

  (Chopsuey and Pizza)

(Sweet, Savoury and Meat Muffins)

      

(Meat Siopao)

(Beef Adobo and Garlic Oven-Grilled Chicken Parts) 

  (Garlic Oven-Grilled Pork and Chicken Sopas)

 (Chicken/ Vegetables Steamed and Oven-Baked Muffins)

(Rellenong Oven-Baked Baguette) 

(Pineapple Topped Coconut Macaroons)