Councilor to attend Gay pageant despite early opposition

DAVAO City Councilor Berino Mambo-o said on Wednesday that he will personally attend the Ms. Gay Universe pageant tomorrow, Friday, despite his earlier opposition to the holding of the event.

In an interview at his office, Mambo-o, who is indigenous people’s representative to the City Council, said he only reacted because he wasn't properly informed by the organizers of Ms. Gay Universe during the planning stage of the pageant.

To recall, Mambo-o opposed the holding of the Ms. Gay pageant during the Kadayawan season, saying the activity is a form of disrespect to the customs and traditions of the lumads.

Mambo-o, however, said he will not refuse any invitation from the event organizers.

"Parti man pud na sa trabaho nato as public official, gusto lang pud ko personally na maka balo kung unsa na ang ilang pageant ug kung wala bay mga paglapas na mahitabo (I will attend since that is part of my job as a public official, and to see for myself about the pageant as well as to determine if there will be violations committed)," Mambo-o said.

Based on his perception, Mambo-o said holding such activity, during Kadayawan, which is a solemn and important event for the lumads, might be offensive to the indigenous people communities in the city.

But Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio already said the event will push through Friday despite the councilman’s opposition.

Meanwhile, Diding Lopez, head organizer of Ms. Gay Universe Pageant, told Sun.Star Davao on Wednesday that Mambo-o is very much welcome to attend the pageant at the Davao City Recreational Center at 6 p.m.

"Basta kay Mambo-o, pangitaon lang ko niya didto, nay seat para sa iyaha (For Mambo-o, he just have to look for me and a seat is reserved for him)," Lopez said.