Pageants: the key to understanding ladyboys

On Sunday March 12th we went to watch the 'Mr Lady' beauty pageant at Robinson's Place, Malalos, here in the Philippines. These pageants are a regular and important feature of life here. During the event, an award was presented for Most Supportive Boyfriend. The winner took both his beloved and the crowd by surprise when he proposed to her on bended knee. The crowd went absolutely wild! https://youtu.be/yfQTQo0Tq5M These events are very much family affairs and each of the contestants was supported by a strong turnout of highly partisan cousins, siblings and parents. It's just good fun and everybody has a great time. I think this illustrates the special position that ladyboys have in Filipino society. Though often regarded with disdain in the street, they are nevertheless icons of beauty and femininity. While they are young and beautiful -- and many are simply stunning -- this gives them a social status; and the place where this is shown off is at pageants. Pageants