Acknowledging that this event took place on unceded Gadigal land, a little slice of home came alive on February 15. Inspired by the iconic Miss Gay Philippines, Bading Thing was the first LGBTQI+ Filipinx-specific event of its kind in Sydney. It launched in alignment with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival season.
Advertised as a pageant, party, and unapologetic celebration, Bading Thing was modeled after the traditional beauty contests regularly held in the provinces and puroks of Manila. Think beauconera—a portmanteau for beauty contestera. The atmosphere was just that, complete with banana leaf decorations, bunting-style banderitas, and a soundtrack of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hits, including Sharon Cuneta’s Bituing Walang Ningning.
Six contestants—ranging from seasoned drag artists to a rising femme queen, and even a first-time beauty pageant performer—competed in three categories: talent, evening wear, and Q&A. Each round built anticipation for who would be crowned the first Mx Bading Thing. Throughout the night, the pageant was infused with electrifying performances from Filipinx artists such as BVT, Avery Wild, and Chela, bringing the full pageant experience to life. The audience was not left behind, with classic parlor games like Hep Hep Hooray and an Otso Otso dance-off adding to the fun.
Some of the night’s most memorable moments included contestant number six revealing in a school-style notebook that their crush was the ‘boy version’ of judge Cassandra the Queen; contestant number three answering the question, “What are the three characteristics that define Bading?” with a cheeky “five-foot-seven, brown skin, and white boyfriend” before completing with a classic “and world peace”—earning laughter and cheers from the crowd. Meanwhile, contestant number two unexpectedly disappeared during the final crowning, adding a moment of suspense.
In the end, the crown went to contestant number three, known as Tala Ka, a seasoned Sydney drag artist who dazzled the audience with their pageantry and presence. The night closed with an epic after-party featuring sets from DJ Charlie Villas, DJ Mama De Leche, and DJ Fried Pork Chop.
For more highlights, follow @bading.thing on Instagram.
