MANILA, Philippines – In a country infatuated with beauty pageants, there is one where there are no leggy buxoms on parade, and winning a swimsuit or long gown contest is not a requirement.

On one October afternoon, 15 girls joined the first-ever Miss Possibilities pageant. Some sashayed on the catwalk, while some were more bashful. Some responded well to a round of applause, while some of those with sensory issues were content with waving hands.

Among the Miss Possibilities participants are dancers, painters, and even an opera singer. The organizers hope the pageant will serve as an effective platform in promoting the inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in mainstream social activities. 

“Awareness leads to acceptance, and acceptance leads to inclusion,” says Michelle Aventajado, one of the pageant’s volunteer moms. A mother to a daughter with Down Syndrome, Aventajado says she dreams of living in a world “where [my daughter] feels included.”

In this pageant, there is no competition. It is, instead, a venue that celebrates every girl’s uniqueness.

In Miss Possibilities, every girl gets a crown. – Rappler.com