The Irish/Filippino beauty queen talks Asia’s fascination with pageants, and the trans experience in 2018
Now in its 17th year, The Miss Mango Tree Beauty Pageant is a glamorous and opulent event that bedazzles Belgravia every year at the arrestingly aromatic and effortlessly glitzy Mango Tree Restaurant (their Pla Muk Tod Ta Krai is to DIE for).
Ahead of this year’s under-the-sea themed contest, Jason Reid spoke to 2017 winner, Alessandra Mae, about her experience as a trans woman in 2018, East Asia’s fascination with beauty pageants, and what the contest means to her…
Congratulations on winning last year’s Miss Mango Tree, Alexandra! It’s a contest for transgender women…can you tell us a bit about your experiences as a trans woman?
I’ve been living as a trans woman since 2001, from the age of sixteen, and I started surgical procedures when I was eighteen. I feel like it was meant to be. When I was taking those first steps, it just felt so natural. I’ve never felt masculine; to me I’ve always been a woman.
What was life like growing up?
I grew up in Ireland, and my sisters were all beauty queens and my brothers all academically minded. So it felt like there was a lot of pressure on me. I really didn’t have a good childhood in the Philippines before moving to Ireland. What I wanted primarily was to grow and love. Most of my family didn’t know I’d transitioned and when they found out they were very shocked. And Ireland was more conservative then.
I’m Irish, too, so I know that even as recent as 20 years ago Ireland was socially very conservative, whereas now it’s one of the most liberal nations in the world.
It’s amazing how much the country has changed since I left, and it’s an example of what can be achieved. Sadly, the Philippines is not currently going in the same direction.
How did your parents react?
I think they always knew. I never asked or even thought about asking for their permission because it’s something I wanted more than anything in the world. This is how I would better myself. As trans people, we have to think about our happiness first.
Did they come to accept you as Alexandra?
Yes, they did. Sadly my mother died in 2003. We argued a lot. But when I was winning pageants in Ireland, that made them proud. Parents like to see their children succeeding. My brothers used to cry, but now they accept me and talk openly. Their acceptance gave me deep happiness. I now choose to support my father financially because I’m single and I can. Whatever he needs, unconditionally, I’m there. When I left the country he replaced the childhood picture he keeps of me with one of me now, as Alexandra. That means so much to me.
Why did you enter the Miss Mango Tree contest?
To me, and to everyone, just entering is an achievement. Being runner up on consecutive years is unthinkable and then going on to win, well that meant something much deeper; it was remarkable.
In Europe especially, the popularity of pageants and beauty contests has declined in recent years, whereas in South Asia they’re still a big part of mainstream culture, right?
Very much so. We see it as another skill to learn. Immersing yourself in something you’re passionate about. There is so much discipline involved and such a feeling of satisfaction when you’re finally on the stage. For those few minutes, everyone is focused on you, on what you’ve created and what you’ve worked so hard for.
Sounds quite magical.
Exactly – those feelings are something else.
What advice would you give to those entering this year’s contest?
Most importantly, just be yourself and believe in yourself. Never change the essence of who you are for anyone. Always listen to the positive and remember, it’s not all about the crown. It’s about growth and knowing yourself, who you truly are inside. Because that is one of the most important factors in succeeding. If it’s not your time, it’s not your time. Be patient and work hard and you’ll know when it’s time. In the pageant world there can be a lot of bitchiness and it’s important to avoid all of that. Respect everyone.
So as your reign comes to an end and you prepare to hand over the crown to the next Miss Mango Tree, how has the contest impacted you?
Before I won the title, a lot of people looked down on me. So I had to motivate myself constantly to achieve my dream. The gratitude I have for my family and close friends who stood by me over that four-year journey knows no bounds. The Miss Mango Tree contest gives trans people a platform, and it makes us feel confident. We can speak up and we can fight for what we believe in. I’m extremely grateful for that.
Miss Mango Tree Beauty Pageant 2018 is on Sunday 2nd September at Mango Tree Belgravia, 46 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7EQ. For more info, go to www.mangotree.org.uk
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