Six contestants are preparing for a night that could change their lives. The grand finals of TransMillion, a contest celebrating the experience of transgender men, will take place at Lust Night Club on March 7.
One of these six individuals will be crowned the first TransMillion winner. But for many in the community, the real victory is simply being seen and heard.
Speaking with Manila Standard Entertainment, Dr. John Paul C. Pareja, CEO and medical director of The SB Clinic, explained the impact of the competition. The winner, he said, will receive up to P1 million worth of surgical procedures to aid in their transition.
“TransMillion will provide the winner with access to a comprehensive suite of medical services, including consultations, surgeries, and post-procedure care, all designed to ensure a safe and informed path toward transition,” Pareja said.
Aian Lazaro, a trans man and social media personality, is working with Pareja on the project. He said the contest serves as an outlet for him to share his story as a trans man in the Philippines and to help other trans individuals in the best way he can based on his experience.
“I still feel sad when people call me ‘madam.’ I have a child, and it confuses them,” he admits. “But I don’t get angry. I just inform them because they may not know.”
Lazaro’s own transition journey included top surgery performed by Pareja, a decision that helped him affirm his identity. However, when he pursued in vitro fertilization (IVF) to have a child, he had to travel to Cambodia, where costs were lower. “It cost me around P800,000 there,” he says.
Pareja, who has been in the medical field since 2016, has seen a growing demand for gender-affirming procedures.
“We now perform around two to three procedures a week, compared to six in an entire year before,” he notes.
As the contestants prepare for the competition, the stakes go beyond winning a title. It’s about representation, about proving that transmen exist and deserve access to proper healthcare.
Pareja, aware of the emotional weight of transitioning, emphasizes the need for proper consultation and family support.
“If transitioning makes someone happy, then go for it. But it must start with consultation and debriefing before any medical procedure,” Pareja said.
