"Miss Philippines" Rain Marie Federova during the "Queen of Cebu" pageant's swimsuit portion. The pageant is an advocacy-based contest supportive of "alternative" or gay lifestyles.

MANILA - "Miss Philippines" was crowned the overall winner of what was tagged as "a pageant for the alternatives."

In the grand coronation night held last October 24 at the posh Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu, "Miss Philippines" Rain Marie Federova was crowned the "Queen-Universe" winner.

Meanwhile, "Miss Spain" Paula Isabel Fernandez was crowned "Queen-International" while "Miss Lebanon" Dominique Hourani won "Queen-World."

Out of hundreds who auditioned, only 21 local candidates were chosen to represent various countries - even though they were not born there.

Represented countries include Italy, Puerto Rico, Ethiopia, Peru, Korea, Mexico, Thailand, Japan, and others. (see official Facebook page for "Queen of Cebu" here)

During the finals, the contestants strutted their stuff in the flamboyant National Costume segment, the evening gown portion, as well as the fun wear and swimsuit portions.

Hourani won "Best in Fun Wear" while Federova bagged 2 awards, namely the "Best in Swim Wear" and "Best in Evening Gown." The "Miss USA" contestant was awarded "Miss Congeniality."

The candidates were serenaded by Jon Avila and Apple Abarquez.

While taking after the traditions of barangay-based beauty pageants, the "Queen" pageant takes the pomp a notch higher, such that it seems cheekily camp.

"There isn't a moment in lifelessness in a pageant done all right like a Queen. The pageant is everything you expect, with a little extra," its promotion states.

'Pageant with a cause'

The pageant was spearheaded by designers Cary Santiago and Wendell Quisido of the Clothes for Life Foundation, which encourages the candidates to take up philanthropy and support their chosen charities.

The candidates had even visited the Children Foundation Inc. in Simala, Sibonga where they brought cheer and goodwill to underprivileged children.

The pageant's aim was also reportedly to "showcase an alternative lifestyle", going beyond pageants centered on just ladies and gentlemen.

"Queen, the first on this grand scale, brings you to the world of ladies who are gentlemen, and gentlemen who are ladies," so the event's promotion goes.

Proceeds of the event will reportedly be donated to the Clothes for Life Foundation's beneficiaries.

These include The Our Lady of Divine Grace, the center for abused in Sibonga, Cebu; The Seven Sisters House of Mercy Home for the Elderly in Mojon, Talisay; Sto. Nino Childrens' Center in Liloan; and Operation Smile, a children's charity treating facial deformities. Report by Reno Tallada, ABS-CBN Central Visayas. With reports from the Philippine Star.