First runner-up Jessika
Simoes of Brazil (left) and second runner-up Panvilas Mongkol of Thailand
(right) congratulate Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin Balot from the
Philippines.
Pattaya Mail Team
A 21-year-old Filipina became the first from her country to win the
Miss International Queen transvestite beauty pageant in Pattaya.
Kevin Balot, who previously competed in three transgender pageants in the
Philippines, won $10,000, a diamond tiara from World Gems and other prizes
at the internationally broadcast contest at the Tiffany Show Theater Nov. 2.
Jessika Simoes of Brazil took the $2,000 first runner-up prize while Miss
Tiffany Universe winner Panvilas Mongkol of Thailand finished third.
Miss International Queen 2011 Sripassorn
Attayakorn (left), crowns Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin Balot.
“I am very proud to be the first winner from the Philippines here,” said
Balot, one of four Filipinos to compete in this year’s “Gallery of Glamour.”
“I hope my dad will accept me. Because in the family, I am the only boy, and
my dad has high expectations of me. I think my dad is going to accept me as
not only his son but also as his daughter.”
The judges panel, which included Tiffany Show executives, representatives
from sponsors Pratunam Polyclinic, Pattaya Mail, Asoke Skin Hospital and TC
Natural Co., Marriott Royal Garden Riverside, and the Woodlands Hotel &
Resort, told the media afterward Balot most impressed them with responses
during the question-and-answer period.
Balot beat out 21 contestants from 15 countries. Ten were selected as
finalists after a performance from Thai pop star Tata Young.
Last year’s champion
Sripassorn Attayakorn performs a special routine for the audience.
Balot also won the prize for Miss Photogenic. The best national costume
award went to Yuki Tachibana of Japan. The best evening gown prize was
awarded to Sunny Dee-Lite of the United States, and Most Talented went to
Tukishima Beni of Japan. Miss Personality was awarded to Noa Herrera of
Venezuela.
The Miss Ripley’s Believe It or Not! popular choice contestant was Stefania
Cruz of the Philippines and Miss Perfect Skin was awarded to Matrica Mae
Centino of Guam.
Part of the proceeds from the event will be presented to the Chaipattana
Foundation under the royal patronage of HM the King.
Senator Sutham Phanthusak, MD of
the Tiffany Show Pattaya, presents the championship trophy to Kevin Balot,
Miss International Queen 2012.
Pop star Tata Young
entertains the audiences before announcements of the final 10 contestants in
Miss International Queen 2012.
First runner-up Jessika
Simoes of Brazil (right) applauds Kevin Balot after the later was announced
winner of the Miss International Queen 2012 contest.
Alisa Phanthusak (right),
assistant MD of the Tiffany Show Pattaya, congratulates Sunny Dee-Lite
(left) from the USA for winning the Best Evening Gown title.
Miss International Queen 2012
Kevin Balot (left) leads a procession of bikini clad contestants during the
swimsuit competition.
Miss International Queen 2011
Sripassorn Attayakorn bids a final farewell before surrendering the crown to
Miss International Queen 2012.
Second runner-up Panvilas
Mongkol wears an exquisite contemporary Thai national costume.
A magnificent costume from
Brazil.
