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| Jennifer Collins, transgender beauty queen |
When
transgender woman Jennifer Collins became the daily winner in the August 16
episode of It’s Showtime’s gay pageant Miss Q & A, she considered it a great
accomplishment, given that it was only her first TV appearance. She gained the
admiration and respect of a lot of people with her quick wit and heartfelt
answers despite the rather frivolous questions the show’s segment was known
for.
For the
family breadwinner who has shown unwavering perseverance in working as a
freelance real estate agent, makeup artist, costume maker, and choreographer, her
Miss Q & A stint brought her closer to her dream of becoming a beauty queen. In fact, a lot people
lauded her on social media for her beauty and intelligence, and lot more opined
that she deserved the crown for her eloquent answer in the final round. As the
daily winner who bested two other contestants, Jennifer was pitted head-on with
reigning Miss Q & A Matrica Matmat Centino in the Beklamation Round. The
titleholder bagged her ninth crown for the day, but Jennifer remained a winner
in the eyes of those who believed that she gave a better and more LGBT-worthy
declamation.
Jennifer – Jayson
Jiz de Ortega in real life, a resident of San Jose Del Monte Bulacan, and a Mass Communications graduate of Far Eastern
University – had high dreams for herself, her family, and the LGBT community
she loves with all her heart.
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| Jennifer lost her right leg in the accident (photo credit: Jam Arenas) |
But on the
night of August 31, her dreams crumbled in a flash when the tricycle she was
riding was crushed by a speeding jeepney. She survived the horrendous accident
that almost killed her, but she woke up in the hospital with an amputated right
leg and her other leg still in a cast.
One would
think that she would curse the heavens for the tragedy that has befallen her. And
Jennifer had every right to express her rage against the universe for taking
everything she worked so hard for in one ruthless blow of fate.
However,
Jennifer is not one to quickly resent God for her misfortunes. In fact, the
first words she uttered when she woke up from her operation were “May plano ang
Diyos.” And despite missing her right leg and facing an uncertain future where
she may never walk the ramp nor join beauty contests ever again, this
strong-willed transgender woman still manages to smile, have a positive outlook
in life, and surrender everything to the will of God.
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| Jennifer's friends call for help on Facebook |
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| What remained of the tricycle Jennifer was riding after it was crushed by a speeding jeep. (photo credit: Jam Arenas) |
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| Jennifer remains strong in her faith that God has other plans for her (photo credit: Jam Arenas) |