Maxine Santos Crowned as Baliwag Gay Queen 2017

Ms. Maxine Santos (seated), Baliwag Gay Queen 2017 and her court.

BALIWAG, BULACAN - Maxine Santos, 26 year-old freelance model, was crowned Gay Queen of Baliwag 2017 during a coronation night held on December 17, 2017 at Baliwag Star Arena, Baliwag, Bulacan. She bested 22 other hopefuls in the battle of talent, interview, swimsuit and evening gown, to become this year’s winner.

The coronation was a night not only of glitz and glamour but also of fun and laughter. The contestants were all beautiful and they put their whole hearts into the competition. This made the competition stiff and the judges have difficulty choosing the rightful winner. The competitions lasted until the wee hours in the morning of December 18. The witty and talky host, Ms. Matrica Matmat Centino (Hall of Famer, ABS CBN It’s Showtime’s Ms. Q & A), cracked tactless jokes here and there sparking loud guffaws among the audience. She was complemented by her equally vibrant co-host, Mr. Joseph Tapic (Founder, Baliwag Elite Models).

The other winners with subsidiary titles are:

Queen of Festival 2017 - Ms. Jad Victorino

Queen of Tourism 2017 - Ms. Alodia Montecarlo Barbeyto

Queen of the Environment 2017 - Ms. Coleen Abarrientos

Queen of Youth 2017 -  Ms. Bitu Orihinal

Gay Queen of Baliwag 2017 1st Princess - Ms. Kim Gc Arcache

Gay Queen of Baliwag 2017 2nd Princess - Ms. Aicee Salazar Gonzales

Baliwag Councilor Pechay dela Cruz attended the coronation night and publicly announced the passage of the Baliwag Gender Fair ordinance under her authorship. It is an ordinance which prohibits all acts of discrimination and abuse directed against the LGBT community in the town. The ever-supportive and multi-awarded Mayor, Ferdie V. Estrella, and Councilor Dingdong Nicolas also graced the occasion.

Baliwag Gay Queen 2017 is a project of BGBT Community (Baliwag Gay, Bi-Sexual, Trans-Gender Community) under the leadership of Ms. Lhet-Lhet Baluyot Velasquez.

Some of the Judges, from the left, Atty. Robert John I. Donesa (BTECH President), Paolo Fernandez

(Malolos-based freelance model) and Ms. Zeinah Al-Saaby (Ms. Bulacan 2017).

(Photo credit: Paolo Fernandez).