The winner of the GMA News TV model’s search, “The Fiercest of Them All,” has turned out to be a transgender woman.
Peru Morena, a Filipino who was raised in Canada, bested both international and local models throughout the show’s two-month run. But viewers based in Canada questioned one of the contestants’ gender identity, prompting the producers to issue a statement addressing the issue.
In a Facebook Live clip on Monday, Morena broke her silence and proudly proclaimed she’s a transgender woman.
“When you gave that statement…yup, ako po yung tinutukoy nila sa show (I’m the one they’re talking about),” she said. “I’m a transgender woman, but you know, I’m all woman now.”
Morena added, “I don’t know how to explain it, but I was born a boy, not a girl. But now I changed, you know that, physically.” According to her, she transitioned when she was still in Canada.
Morena hopes that her revelation will raise awareness of the struggles being encountered by the transgender community.
“The Fiercest of Them All,” which was hosted by Brazilian star Daiana Menezes, detailed the challenges of Filipina models as they compete with the likes of internationally acclaimed models like Claudia Benavides, Gleymar Lolo, Irina Zincheko and Katarina Rumanova. Gianna Francesca Catolico /ra
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