TRANS WOMAN TO COMPETE IN 2018 MISS UNIVERSE

26-year-old model Angela Ponce of Spain, makes history as the first trans woman to compete in Miss Universe. In her Instagram post - she wrote in Spanish, "Wearing the name and colors of Spain before the universe is my great dream." She continued, "My goal: to be spokesperson for a message of inclusion, respect and diversity not only for the LGBTQ community but for the whole world."

The Philippine's representative Catriona Gray was asked to comment on this issue shown on national television.  She said "personally, I have no problem with it.  But I do understand why there's quite an uproar among all the fans and different people looking at the issue."  She added that it all depends on the Miss Universe Organization "if they allow it, that's their prerogative. if the contestant can go through the casting process, become a candidate, and earn the right to represent her country, then why not? 

Except for Colombia and Puerto Rico, most of the so called powerhouse pageant countries like Venezuela, USA and the Philippines have already elected their respective delegates for the upcoming Miss Universe. 

Among the front runners or pre-pageant favorites includes Sarah Rose Summers (USA), Catriona Gray (PHILIPPINES), Tamaryn Green (SOUTH AFRICA) and Sthefany Gutierrez (VENEZUELA).

It was reported earlier this year that the Philippines will host the 2018 Miss Universe but the new Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat decided to cancel the country's bid to host the pageant pointing out that the department needs to fix a lot of things and holding another Miss Universe pageant is not a priority.  Her predecessor Wanda Tulfo Teo resigned from her post following a Commission on Audit (COA) report on the department's awarding P60 million ads to a company owned by her brother Ben Tulfo.  Teo, who initiated the plan to host the pageant, denied the accusation. 

Thailand and Vietnam have reportedly bid to host the pageant this year.