A Love Letter to Himself: Guillano Valenzuela’s Journey Back to Pageantry
For years, Guillano Valenzuela has been known as one of the beauty industry’s trusted makeup artists, helping queens, celebrities, and personalities look their best. Behind the glamour, however, was a man carrying personal struggles that few people knew about. Today, after 15 years away from pageantry, Guillano is stepping back onto the stage as a candidate for Mr. Gay World Philippines.
For the 38-year-old makeup artist, the competition is not simply about winning a crown. It is a personal journey that represents healing, growth, and the courage to start again after experiencing some of the most difficult moments of his life.
Returning to His Roots
There was a time when Guillano felt like he had lost himself. A failed relationship, financial setbacks, and the emotional weight of depression left him struggling to move forward. The man who was once driven and full of energy found himself trying to put the pieces of his life back together.
It was during this period that someone close to him encouraged him to revisit something he once loved—pageantry. The suggestion reminded him of a lesson he often shared with others: when life feels uncertain, sometimes the best thing to do is return to your roots.
“The reason why I joined Mr. Gay World Philippines is because, for me, the pageant is not just a title and a crown. It was actually a love letter to myself. Two years ago, I was suffering from depression at that time. It helped me pick myself up again and do better in life. Without Mr. Gay World Philippines, or without the pageant, I’m very sure that I’m probably not doing better right now.”
What began as a simple challenge soon became a turning point. Guillano promised himself that if he could lose enough weight before the application deadline, he would push through with joining the competition. Through discipline and determination, he went from 85 kilos to 77 kilos within a month. Today, he weighs 70 kilos and continues to work toward becoming the healthiest version of himself.
More than a physical transformation, the process reminded him that he was still capable of achieving goals he once thought were out of reach.
More Than a Crown
Although Guillano has not competed in a pageant for 15 years, he never truly left the industry. As a celebrity makeup artist for 17 years, he has worked closely with beauty queens and pageant candidates, witnessing firsthand what it takes to succeed both on and off the stage.
His years behind the scenes allowed him to stay connected to the evolving world of pageantry while developing skills that he now brings into the competition.
“I know for a fact that my competitive spirit has never changed. So, I know I still have the fire, and I know what to do on stage. The difference is that it’s already a different era, so of course, I need to stay updated. Fortunately, that was not a problem for me since I’ve been handling beauty queens since 2020. For this pageant, I combined what I learned from handling beauty queens and applied it to myself.”
At 38, Guillano believes his age is one of his strengths rather than a disadvantage. The experiences he has gained over the years have given him confidence, perspective, and a deeper understanding of himself. He knows that being a titleholder goes beyond looking good on stage—it requires communication, authenticity, and the ability to connect with people.
As a Broadcast Communication graduate, he believes that a true ambassador must know how to tell stories, inspire others, and represent causes that matter. For him, those qualities are just as important as any pageant performance.
A Heart for Animal Welfare
Among the many advocacies he could have chosen, Guillano remained committed to one that has been part of his life long before joining Mr. Gay World Philippines: animal welfare.
Every year, instead of celebrating his birthday with parties or gatherings, he organizes a donation drive called Piso Para sa Pusa. Through the initiative, he encourages friends and followers to donate food and supplies for stray cats.
His commitment to the cause became even more meaningful during one of the darkest periods of his life.
“I was actually thinking twice about whether I was going to pursue animal welfare because some people think that animal welfare is a weak advocacy since it doesn’t focus on humans. However, I don’t think advocacy is weak as long as it’s true to yourself. Before I joined Mr. Gay World Philippines, this had already been my advocacy for years.”
For Guillano Valenzuela, the connection goes beyond simply loving animals. His cats became a source of comfort when he felt alone and overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
“When I was depressed—after losing my house, my savings, and going through a failed relationship—the only creatures I had were my cats. From there, my love for my cats continued to grow. Whenever I see a cat, I become genuinely happy. That’s really where it all started.”
That personal connection is what makes his advocacy authentic. Rather than choosing a cause for the sake of competition, he chose one that reflects his experiences and the things that helped him heal.
Whether he ultimately wins the title or not, Guillano Valenzuela already sees this journey as a victory. Through the competition, he has regained confidence, improved his health, and rediscovered a version of himself that he thought he had lost.
“This pageant is proof that I am an empowered man. It proves that I can achieve something beyond my own expectations. This is me returning to who I really am.”
For Guillano Valenzuela, Mr. Gay World Philippines is more than a pageant. It is a reminder that setbacks do not define a person’s future and that growth can happen at any stage of life. Above all, it is a love letter to himself—a celebration of resilience, self-belief, and the courage to begin again.
Creative Direction: T-jhay Factor Ordonez
Assisted by VJ Medina Moral
Photographer: Rap Yu
Stylist: Jro Alarcio
Grooming: John Ver Claud
