Inmates Bring Christmas Cheer to Philippine Prison with Beauty Pageant
A gay inmate walks during a mock Miss Universe pageant inside a prison in Manila.
Manila, Philippines: Inmates dressed as beauty queens pranced on a makeshift stage for a mock beauty pageant at a Philippines jail, bringing Christmas cheer to one of the country’s most overcrowded prisons.
Thousands cheered and whistled as 11 gay and one transgender prisoner danced and sang at the “Miss Universe” pageant at the Quezon City Jail courtyard, wearing wigs, make-up, gowns and elaborate Mardi Gras attire.
The decaying Manila jail, housing about 3,800 inmates, is infamous for congestion. Men take turns sleeping in the cells, an open-air basketball court and even on stairways of the facility, built to hold 800 prisoners.
“It’s lonely in here but I’m happy that I won,” the winner called Gwen, whose real name cannot be used due to prison policy, said.
Thousands cheered and whistled as 11 gay and one transgender prisoner danced at the pageant.
Gwen, arrested nearly two years ago and on trial for drug dealing, said his victory had brought “acclaim for my brigade”, referring to his gang.
All 12 of the gangs in the prison were allowed to enter one contestant to the gay beauty pageant, organized by a jail contractor.
“This is part of inmate welfare development. Once they join activities like this they get less jail time through the good conduct time allowance law,” said a service provider.
The Quezon City Jail holds defendants of criminal cases but who have not yet been convicted. Due to overburdened courts many of the inmates have been locked up there for years.
The Philippine penal system is the third most congested in the world, according to the University of London’s Institute for Criminal Policy Research.
Jails nationwide have nearly five times more inmates than they were built for, government data shows.
The situation is set to get much worse with police having arrested more than 40,000 suspects since the Philippine President launched a war on drugs that has also left more than 5,300 people dead.
The real Miss Universe pageant is a popular contest in the Philippines, with a Filipina beauty queen winning the crown the previous year.
Manila is hosting the annual contest the following month.
Quezon City Jail
The Quezon City Jail is a detention facility in the Philippines, primarily housing inmates awaiting trial. It gained significant public attention due to severe overcrowding and a viral video of inmates performing a synchronized dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” which highlighted both the harsh conditions and the inmates’ resilience.
Manila
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines, located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay. Founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1571, it served as the center of Spanish colonial rule in Asia for over three centuries and was heavily damaged during World War II. Today, it is a densely populated metropolis known for its historic walled city of Intramuros and its vibrant, modern economic and cultural life.
Philippines
The Philippines is
Quezon City Jail
The Quezon City Jail is a modern correctional facility in the Philippines, opened in 2006 to replace the overcrowded Old Bilibid Prison. It is most notably recognized for its “Dancing Inmates” viral phenomenon, where prisoners performed synchronized dance routines as part of a rehabilitation program in the late 2000s.
Manila
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines, located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay. Founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1571, it served as the center of Spanish colonial rule in Asia for over three centuries and was heavily damaged during World War II. Today, it is a densely populated metropolis known for its historic walled city of Intramuros and its vibrant, modern economic and cultural life.
Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia with a rich history shaped by centuries of Spanish colonization (1565-1898) and later American rule, before gaining full independence in 1946. Its culture is a vibrant fusion of indigenous Malay traditions with significant Hispanic, American, and Asian influences, evident in its festivals, cuisine, and historic landmarks like the Baroque churches and the rice terraces of the Cordilleras.
University of London’s Institute for Criminal Policy Research
The University of London’s Institute for Criminal Policy Research (ICPR) is a leading academic center focused on the analysis of crime, justice, and penal policy. It was established in its current form in 2011, building upon the work of the former Mannheim Centre for Criminology, to provide rigorous, evidence-based research to inform public debate and policy reform. Its work critically examines areas such as prison populations, sentencing, and the effectiveness of criminal justice systems.
Miss Universe
“Miss Universe” is not a physical place or cultural site, but an annual international beauty pageant founded in 1952 by the California-based clothing company Pacific Mills. The competition, now owned by the JKN Global Group, has evolved into a global media event featuring contestants from over 90 countries, focusing on beauty, interview skills, and advocacy. Its history reflects changing societal views on gender, culture, and global entertainment.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is a festive season and cultural celebration rooted in medieval Europe, but most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana. It centers around the day of “Fat Tuesday,” the final day of feasting and revelry before the Christian solemnity of Lent. The modern New Orleans tradition, with its parades, masquerade balls, and distinctive purple, green, and gold colors, was formalized in the 19th century by social clubs called krewes.
Intramuros
Intramuros is the historic walled city in Manila, Philippines, originally built by Spanish colonial authorities starting in the late 16th century. It served as the political, military, and religious center of Spanish rule for over 300 years. Though heavily damaged during World War II, it has been partially restored and remains a major cultural landmark showcasing Spanish-era architecture.
World War II
World War II was a global conflict from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations and resulting in unprecedented destruction and loss of life. It was primarily fought between the Axis powers (led by Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the Allies (led by the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and China). The war’s profound legacy is remembered through numerous memorials, museums, and preserved historical sites worldwide, such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, which serve as somber reminders of the Holocaust, the use of atomic weapons, and the fight for freedom.
