BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the local government is willing to accord the homegrown Miss Gay World titlist the appropriate hero’s welcome just like what had been done to individuals who and groups that had brought honor and pride to the city through various prestigious national and international competitions.
The local chief executive said that John Raspado’s recent victory in the Miss Gay World 2017 in Spain where he emerged victorious is something to be proud of by local residents as considering that he traces his origin from the city.
“We extend our warmest greetings and congratulations to John Raspado for being crowned as the 2017 Miss Gay World and the local government will accord him the necessary hero’s welcome once his handlers will allow him to be paraded around the main roads of the city and honoured with fitting rites,” Domogan stressed.
It will be recalled that the local government previously accorded hero’s welcome rites to 2016 Miss International beauty titlist KaylieVersoza, whose parents are from the city, and Unified Fighting Championship world lightweight champion Edward Fulayang and young female wushu sensation Divine Wali.
Domogan said that he is willing to sit down with Raspado’s handlers and family members to discuss the fitting ceremonies that will be accorded to the Miss Gay World.
Aside from being adjudged this year’s Miss Gay World, Raspado also won the Best in Swimwear, Best in Formal Wear, Mr. Gay World Closed Door Interview, Mr. Online Vote, Mr. Social Media special awards in Maspalomas, Spain.
In his post in the Miss Gay World facebook page, Raspado stated ‘”Maraming salamat sa mga bumubuong MGWPO (Mister Gay World Philippines), lalong lalo na kay Wilbert Tolentino, sa laging paggabay sa aking paglalakbay at tagumpay at sa mga tumulong sa akin sa backstage at mga kapwa kong kalahok. Lalong-lalo na kay Belgium at Venezuela na aking naging kasama sa kuwarto. (Thank you to the people behind MGWPO, especially to Wilbert Tolentino, for always guiding me on my journey to success and to those who helped me backstage and my fellow candidates. Especially the delegates of Belgium and Venezuela, who were my roommates.)
“Sa mga komunidad ng mga Pilipino sa Espanya, sa loveyourself.org, sa Kagandahang Flores. (To the Filipino community in Spain, to the loveyourself.org, to Kagandahang Flores.)
“Itong pagkapanalo ko ay hindi lamang sa aking pamilya ngunit para sa mga baklang katulad ko na may prinsipyo at layunin sa pinaglalaban. (This is is not only for my family but also for the gay men like me who have principles and a purpose to fight for.)
“Maraming salamat sa Dios Ama!” (Thank you, Lord God)
Domogan underscored regardless of his status in the society, Raspado deserves to be accorded the appropriate ceremonies to honor his achievement in one of the prestigious competitions being done in the global village.
By Dexter A. See
