Bea del Rio in CulturePreen

“Beauty queen maker” Jonas Gaffud is now part of the Miss Universe Organization

Jonas Gaffud, dubbed the“beauty queen maker,” surprised followers when he made the big announcement that he’s leaving pageant training camp Aces and Queens. He is now joining the Miss Universe Organization PH as creative and events director for the brand.

With this new position, he will be working closely with IMG Universe and the Araneta Group, the agency that owns the international pageant, and the organization that runs the national Binibining Pilipinas competition, respectively.

In an Instagram post, Jonas shared that the Miss Universe Organization has “a long term plan of evolving into more than a one day television special,” and that it aims to “place an emphasis on women empowerment and philanthropy.” With that goal in mind, they tapped “key talents” such as Jonas. As creative and events director specifically, Jonas “will be responsible for elevating the level of Miss Universe Philippines further through his innovative and groundbreaking pageant creative concepts and ideas.” He is also expected to “showcase the best of the Philippines,” as well as highlight “the advocacies of modern-day Filipinas.”

I sincerely hope they achieve this and they’re genuine about this campaign. I think beauty pageants are rooted on patriarchal values, but that doesn’t mean women can’t reclaim it and make it empowering. It has proven to be an effective platform, that’s something we can’t deny. So it only seems right to move in this direction. With the right people who share this same sentiment, I think they’re on the right way.

What do you think?

[ABS-CBN News]

Photo courtesy of Jonas Gaffud’s Instagram account

For the latest in culture, fashion, beauty, and celebrities, subscribe to our weekly newsletter here

Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Viber