Tabuk City, Kalinga – Crowned Bb. Ikatlong Lahi Universe 2021, Alfranz Vebber "Golda" Gayaman, who represented Bulanao Centro during the recently concluded pageant for a cause held at the Kalinga Astrodome, promotes safe sex and sustainable action against climate change as her advocacies.
The 21-year-old who is taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at CAP College Foundation Inc. bested 20 other candidates during the pageant and emerged as the first Bb. Ikatlong Lahi-Tabuk with her impactful speech regarding Covid-19 vaccination and booster shots.
“Amidst this pandemic, we all know that we have suffered for the past two years and to overcome this problem, vaccination was implemented, so for us ladies and gentlemen, we need to be disciplined, first of all we need to take the vaccination and second, after having the vaccination, we need to have our boosters. By these, I do believe that everyone will be safe, everyone will not get this sickness, and no lives will be taken away,” Gayaman, who is not a neophyte in local gay pageants, stated.
In an interview, the newly crowned Bb. Ikatlong Lahi said that as an environmentalist, she plans to take action against the serious changes brought about by climate change and through said platform; she wanted to encourage the youth to help and take part in slowing down global warming through sustainable practices such as the 3 Rs or the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle strategy.
Other than that, she also wanted to help reduce deforestation by leading tree planting activities through the LGBTQIA+ Tabuk Chapter Organization.
“[I will also] encourage them as well to always take their eco bags with them when going to the market or establishments to reduce plastic consumption. I really believe na our actions are needed in the fight of this climate change,” she said.
For her other advocacy against sexually transmitted diseases, Gayaman said that she will raise awareness among the youth to observe healthy and safe sex to avoid getting diseases such as the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through implementation of programs and meetings to educate them in the disadvantages of unsafe and giving of contraceptives to lessen HIV cases.
Her Reasons of Joining the Pageant
According to Gayaman, aside from her fondness of beauty pageants, what urged her to join the event was its objective that the proceeds collected will be given to a member of the LGBTQIA+ member who is sick and for the purchase of equipment needed by their fellow LGBTQIA+ members who are studying.
“It's not just that, dream ko talaga umapak sa stage ng astrodome. That's why I joined, sabi ko, win or lose, basta nakaapak ako sa astrodome okay na yun pero who would have thought na I will be the first ever Bb. Ikatlong Lahi 2021 and ang historical lang kasi kami yung first ever batch ng gay pageant na nakaapak sa astrodome,” she joyfully expressed.
The Bb. Ikatlong Lahi as told by her is not the first pageant she joined as she also joined and won Ms. Gay Tonnix-1st runner-up, Ms. Gay Lucog and Ms. Gay Calanan way back in 2018.
“Golda,” as called by her friends, narrated that she started her preparations when she got information that the pageant for a cause will push through.
She then contacted her handler, Clayton Moldero, and ask the latter to prepare her creative attire and her gown.
“Sa paggawa ng mga gamit, nag-seek talaga ako ng help sa mga tao, private businesses, officials ganon. Binigyan ko lahat sila ng letter of sponsorship,” she recalled.
Plans after winning the pageant
When asked about her other plans, Gayaman said that she wanted to be active in all the activities of their organization, especially now that she is now one of their ambassadresses.
“I need to be there always to support them sa mga future activities na gagawin… mga sports game, HIV awareness seminars, something like that and I would like as well na makipag-join force sa mga other organizations, like Red Cross in their blood donation activities,” she said, adding that she would invite organization members to donate blood.
Aside from Red Cross, the beauty queen also hopes to work with organizations involved in feeding program and those helping people who are victims of domestic abuses.
Added to this, Gayaman said that if given the chance to have enough finance, she also would like to provide food packs to people in need.
.png)
