From being a pageant fan to a pageant candidate.
Fashion designer Veejay Floresca, who is among the individuals in the viral Miss Universe 2010 reaction video, is now representing the Philippines in the Miss Trans Star International 2022 in Spain.
The designer on Sunday arrived in Barcelona to compete in the most prestigious beauty pageant for transgenders in Europe.
Veejay took to Instagram to share her feelings as a first-time delegate to a pageant.
“Playing ‘Miss Universe’ was my favorite game when I was a kid. I’ve always wanted to wear the PHILIPPINES sash across my heart,” she wrote.
“Growing up as a trans kid, I didn’t know it’s possible. Today, *crying* I made that happen. I want everyone to understand that DREAMS DO COME TRUE. Never ever give up on your dreams. You’ll be surprised one day, you can make that dream a reality. #Philippines #misstransstarinternational,” Veejay added.
Veejay accompanied her posts with pictures of her sash.
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Veejay also shared a photo of her holding the Philippine flag with outstretched arms.
“Believe in the power of dreams!” the caption reads, with a crown emoji.
She also included the hashtag “#dreamsdocometrue” in the post.
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Veejay also reshared an Instagram Story of the beauty pageant which featured a screengrab of her reacting to Miss Universe 2010, juxtaposed with a picture of her traveling to Spain.
“Dreams do come true!” Veejay said in the reshared IG Story.
Pageant fan days
In 2010, she and her friends uploaded their reaction when Miss Universe Philippines 2010 Venus Raj entered the Top 15 of the 59th Miss Universe.
The video posted on YouTube featured them literally jumping for joy in the bed when the hosts announced that Venus had entered the list. Prior to that, all of them were silently watching the program.
The reaction video immediately gained viral status and was even shared by gossip website PerezHilton.com.
Veejay said that it was only supposed to be a personal video.
“We wanted to see our own reactions should Venus’s name be called. We watched the video after the pageant and we were laughing so much when we saw it! We didn’t expect so many people would like it,” she said in a 2010 interview.
In another interview, Veejay said that it has been an annual tradition of their group to do something special every coronation night of Miss Universe.
“Every year kasi, we do that. It’s a bonding moment for all of us, I think for all the gays. Parang ‘yun ang world cup o fight ni Manny Pacquiao for us. It’s really a bonding moment for us,” she shared.
Veejay added that their matching white shirts were just a coincidence.