In the Philippines, beauty pageants are a national obsession. In the next few hours, the women will go from wearing their bright metallic dresses to just a bikini, before reappearing on stage in long evening gowns – showcasing themselves from every angle.Ī handful will then make it through to the final stages of the contest and answer questions from the judges in less than a minute, and at the end of the night, 4 grueling hours later, one woman will wear a crown.Īt the Philippine International Convention Center plenary hall on June 24, a historic building that is often used to welcome heads of state, the Miss Manila Beauty Pageant is in full swing. Welcome to yet another beauty pageant, a regular spectacle in the Philippines which often draws crowds by the hundreds.

The rest of the crowd cheer, chanting names and carrying banners plastered with photos of the women’s faces. In their sparkling gowns and fancy suits, the audience – actors, singers, and some politicians including a former president – all lap it up. Their long hair bounce on their shoulders, smiles big and wide, as they sway along, raise their arms and shake their hips – all on their sky-high heels. They dance together to “Manila Girl”, like they’re in a noontime show. MANILA, Philippines – On a vast stage with flashing lights and blaring music, 30 women in haltered gold lamé dresses twirl and prance in choreographed unison. Feminists say the country’s fixation with these contests is harmful to women because it sets unrealistic standards of beauty and promotes gender inequality.National pageants are a multi-million peso lucrative industry, attracting hordes of sponsors and promoting Philippine designers and make-up artists.In the Philippines, the obsession with beauty pageants is culturally entrenched.

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