Gwendoline Ruais OK with transgenders in pageants

RUAIS: Hats off to them.

Some local beauty queens had strong and rather controversial opinions against the Miss Universe Organization’s recent decision to allow transgenders to enter the pageant.

Miss World 2011 first runner-up Gwendoline Ruais was more diplomatic.

“It’s OK as long as everybody who wants to join the pageant is aware of the new rules and regulations,” the 22-year-old Filipino-French beauty said in a recent press con for Miss World-Philippines, to be aired by TV5 in June.

Helmed by Cory Quirino, Miss World-Philippines is currently holding regional screenings.

Gwen was inevitably asked to comment on fellow beauty queen Miriam Quiambao’s tweet that enraged the LGBT community: “Homosexuality is not a sin but it’s a lie from the devil.”

Said Gwen: “Religion and politics are very personal [and] everyone’s entitled to his/her opinion. I have nothing against gays. I don’t believe in discrimination. Everyone’s equal.”

In fact, she added, she’s proud of gays and transgenders for staying true to themselves. “If they really feel that they’re women on the inside and have the guts to show it, then hats off to them,” she said.

Show biz

Now that her reign as Miss World-Philippines is about to end, pursuing a full-time show biz career seems to be the next big step for Gwen. She recently signed an exclusive contract with Viva Entertainment, which is good, she said, because she could work with different networks.

Not a few commented that at 5’11”, Gwen could have a hard time finding a leading man.

But finding a leading man is the least of her concerns right now. The bigger issue, Gwen confessed, is acting itself. “I have never tried it. I suppose I will need workshops.”

At the moment, hosting is where her heart’s at, said Gwen, quite the rapid-fire talker. “I want to do a lifestyle or a fashion program. I have offers and I hope to get the best one.”

Would she pose for a men’s magazine? Gwen has no qualms wearing a two-piece swimsuit. “Part of beauty pageants is being confident about your body. But I’m the reigning titlist, and I wouldn’t do anything disrespectful to the crown,” she said.

No time for rumors

Meanwhile, if there’s one thing Gwen doesn’t like about show biz, it’s gossip. She’s aware that some people have already been spreading nasty rumors about her, for instance, that she’s become arrogant—which has resulted in a tiff with another beauty queen, Venus Raj.

“Venus and I are friends. That’s really, really sad,” she said.