‘I always struggled with confidence – pageants have helped me come out of my shell’

Jason Cancino won his first pageant in 2024 and will go on to represent Ireland in the USA next year

A Filipino man living in East Belfast hopes to empower and inspire others after being crowned Mr Diamond Ireland 2026. Jason Cancino won the title in March, and will go on to represent Ireland at the international finals in the USA next year.

The 33-year-old moved to Northern Ireland from the Philippines when he was eight-years-old. As a gay immigrant with a learning disability, he has praised pageantry for giving him a space to be himself, while building up his confidence.

Working as a chef in Belfast and a freelance model, Jason won his first pageant in 2024 and became Mr Shining Light. Here, he used his platform to raise funds and awareness for local mental health charities, and he has been open about his own struggles.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Jason opened up on his journey so far, including why he felt inspried to get involved in modelling and pageantry, and how it has helped build his confidence.

He said: “I began modelling in 2020 and started taking part in pageants in 2023. I just felt there was always something in me that wanted to get into modelling. I’ve always just liked to pose and be in front of the camera, so I thought why not challenge myself to do something different and take on pageants too.

“I’ve worked my way up to being a fashion model, and going into different genres of modelling. I also wanted to increase my confidence through pageantry as well.

“I was inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race and seeing the queens from different backgrounds just being themselves. It’s nice to see people from different cultures and hearing different stories through the pageants.”

Jason said becoming Mr Shining Light in 2024 was a huge moment for him, especially as he won the competition while wearing an evening gown.

After the competition, he took a year’s break and went off social media for a while to focus on his mental health, as he began to struggle with anxiety.

“I became Mr Shining Light in my evening gown. I wanted to be myself and show people you don’t have to stick to one box, you can be yourself and wear whatever you want. Be your unique self, and shine the way you want to shine,” he said.

“I’m part of the LGBT community and there is so much discrimination and hate we face. Especially when I was young, and I wanted to show young LGBT people you can go out there and be yourself. Get on that stage and just be confident of who you are and forget what others have to say about you.”

After the Shining Light competition ended, Jason said he wanted to fulfil a dream of representing his country internationally, a feat he will achieve next year at the international finals of the Diamond Ireland competition.

He explained: “It means so much for me to be representing my country as growing up wasn’t easy for me, I wasn’t accepted for who I was. It would mean so much to represent my country just being myself.”

His involvement in pageants has meant Jason has been able to fundraise for charities close to his heart. This year, he is raising funds to support The Rainbow Project.

“When I won the title I was able to choose my own charities to support. I’ve picked The Rainbow Project to be able to help my community, as we face so many struggles in life, especially right now with that’s happening in the world,” Jason said.

As for what he loves about being involved in pageantry, and any advice he would offer to those in the LGBT community who may be struggling, Jason said: “It’s really inspiring to hear stories from people with different backgrounds, what’s happened in the past for them and where they are now.

“The pageants are great for seeing how confident some people are, and how they empower people and raise awareness for others.

“For all the young gay men I would say get out there and be yourself, believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Ask for help if you’re going through mental health problems, it’s okay to feel that way and feel vulnerable.”

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