Even though Miss Universe Spain 2018 failed to make it to the Top 20 of the competition, Angela Ponce still emerged victorious.
Miss Universe dedicated a special segment to Angela, the beauty queen who became the pageant's first transgender woman to vie for the prestigious title.
Angela was crowned Miss Universe Spain 2018 on June 29, 2018.
The announcement was met with immense scrutiny from the pageant community, questioning her inclusion.
Still, Angela was determined to deliver her message via the Miss Universe stage.
In her tribute video, she said, "I always thought it was very positive to dream. Many people do not have information on what it means to be a transgender woman. To have a part of you which tells you that your identity is female.
"Identity is with us since we’re born."
As an advocate for diversity and inclusivity, Angela continued, "We're living in a century where we can't keep repeating patterns of the past.
"To eradicate intolerance, I think it would be very important to foster those values from a young age.
"I'm here to represent diversity of humans in the world."
Angela then teared up as she added, "My hope is for tomorrow, to be able to live in a world of equality for everyone... For us all to understand that we are human and that we must make all our lives easier together...
"If I can give that to the world, I don't need to win Miss Universe. I only need to be here."
At the end of the tribute video, Angela appeared once more on stage to have her own moment on the runway.
She took off her sash and raised it with pride.
CELEBRITIES TWEET THEIR SUPPORT
Celebrities got emotional after Miss Universe's special tribute to Angela.
Vice Ganda tweeted, "Kinilabutan ako sa recognition nila sa Miss Spain!!!!
"Ang bongga lang ng major!!!!"
Gretchen added, "Ang ganda ni Angela Ponce [heart eyes emoji] First transgender woman in #MissUniverse history!"
She then retweeted Alessandra de Rossi's tweet of "You go, girl!" with the hashtag #Respect.
Meanwhile, Divine Lee said, "your bravery is everything."
Chynna Ortaleza got emotional. She remarked, "So much love & respect Angela Ponce of Miss Spain!!! Naiyak ako. Grabe."
Spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo then reiterated in his tweet that "ANGELA PONCE IS A WOMAN."
Actor Sebastian Castro added, "Shout out to Miss Spain for rocking trans representation and that sash!"
For film and television writer G3 San Diego, she marked the inclusion of Angela Ponce in Miss Universe as "a moment in history I will never forget..."
She tweeted, "For a proud transgender woman like me, growing up watching Miss Universe, that was a moment in history I will never forget.
"That the day has come, when someone like me, has stepped on the universe's most beautiful stage.
"'I don’t need to win, i just need to be here.'"
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