Words by: Paul Ray Donaire
Reports by: Allianah Junnice Bolotaulo & Charles Leslie Jun Sido
Wherever she goes, she navigates with confidence. Whether in the court, the crown, or the classroom, her voice withstands the noise of doubts.
Lee Verdoguillo, a lawyer and instructor by profession and a beauty queen by heart, first made her mark as a public administration student at Silliman University (SU). Her presence is distinct and unique, unbound by conformity.
As an openly trans woman, Lee joined Miss SPAG during her senior year of college despite the tradition imposing gender-based limits on pageantry. She took it in stride, knowing that participating was to make an impact—visibility, as she would describe it.
She embodies this quality far beyond her college years, instilling a powerful impression of courage and bravery in those around her. In 2018, Lee completed her law degree at the same institution, defying gender expectations placed on the trans community.
But life isn’t always an upward journey, and there are times when she has to endure the struggle of losing. Yet, even when she faced challenges in obtaining her license, she refused to let them bring her down.
Lee applied for a job for the time being. However, the job required her to wear a uniform contrary to her gender identity, potentially stifling her freedom of expression. This situation left her facing a difficult decision, causing discomfort and hindering her ability to express her authenticity in the workplace.
Lee did not encounter any instances of discrimination during her time at SU, even when she opted to wear feminine attire despite the university’s former gender-specific togas.
“Not all students who go through college and after college will experience that. So, I appreciate this experience I’ve had with Silliman as a student,” she says.
Having dedicated much of her life to studying governance, Lee sought this challenge to shift the focus toward valuing ability over traditional biases—specifically, the persistent gender stereotypes she saw as systemic barriers.
“I told myself to pursue and [retake] the bar exam because I don’t think I can handle life if I’m just at the hands of big corporate entities that will demand certain policies on you,” she recalls.
After a determined second attempt, Lee finally earned the title “Atty.” before her name—a quiet but powerful reminder that sometimes, the second time’s a charm. She carries this hard-earned pride into academia, where her voice resonates more deeply with the younger generation.
Between 2022 and 2023, Lee taught “Gender and the Law” at the SU College of Law, a course that was close to her heart, and meaningful to her lifelong commitment to addressing gender discrimination. She approached every moment in class with dedication to ensuring her students understood the nuances of social constructions.
Lee’s story exemplifies fortitude from a completely different lens. Her perseverance has borne fruit, earning her institutional respect and leadership roles both in the court and classroom. She remains a strong advocate of inclusivity and representation, leading by example, not merely through words.
As she is no stranger to the pageant scene, Lee stepped onto the stage once more in hopes of amplifying voices and fostering openness towards diversity. A fight for everyone’s rights; an advance she’s willing to lead for her community.
With her wit, glamour, and confidence, Lee marked history by becoming the Gandang NegOrense 2023. This allowed her to compete and represent her home province, Negros Oriental, on bigger platforms like Queen Philippines and IBP Festival Queen.
For Lee, beauty pageants serve as outlets to build connections with other trans individuals. By immersing herself in this community, she found solace in knowing that others have felt seen and relieved by someone like her—someone they can turn to for legal concerns without facing judgment.
“Being out there, being present, that’s enough to normalize our existence,” she expresses.
Holding a multifaceted role—a lawyer, a beauty queen, and an instructor—is both demanding and complex, and at times, can be frustrating. But for Lee, it is a duty she is ready to embrace. Through her narratives and her pursuit of success on any of the three C’s podiums, she continues to advocate for the recognition of human rights that the trans community is actively fighting for.