Aww, Mela Habijan's Mother Shares How She Accepted Her Daughter's Transition

In tears, Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan asked her mother why she accepted the boy who transitioned to live her gender identity as a trans woman. Despite initially questioning God, Irene Habijan shared how she found it in her heart to love her child.

At the Google Pride Conversations held on June 20, the beauty queen who hosted the event invited her ally, mom Irene, whom she said inspired her to achieve her dreams. Now, Irene witnesses how Mela works, holding a mic she dreamt of doing ever since she was a kid thanks to a mother who never wavered in her support despite what other people said about her trans kid.

"It's not easy for a parent to accept a child like me. Bakit tinanggap mo ako nang buong puso?" Mela asked.

Mela Habijan's mom Irene shares how she accepted her daughter's transition 

When asked why she accepted Mela, Irene answered: "Kailangan kita tanggapin kasi sino pa ba ang unang tatanggap kundi ang magulang?"

During one interview, Irene said she was asked if she has accepted Mela's gender identity and expression.

"Ang sagot ko sa kanya, 101% I accepted my little boy who became a girl. Ang pangalan n'ya kasi boy kaya lang, nung pinagpe-pray over i'I' always use the pronoun 'he'. Sabi n'ya, 'Ma, I am not he, but I am she.'"

"Doon lang ako sobrang nagkakamali kasi minsan naaalala ko na ang guwapo mo, anak, tapos tuwing nakikita ko ang kanyang pictures nung siya ay boy, parang sinasabi ko sa Lord na bakit siya nabago but I don't have the right to question the Lord. Sabi ko lang, I am the luckiest mommy kasi nagkaroon ako ng anak na tulad ni Mela."

Irene first noticed the changes in her child when Mela started wearing heels and refused to cut her hair. While Mela's parents were in Hawaii, Irene was shocked to see her child wearing a gown while emceeing in Marikina.