Welcome Your 2024 GAPA Royalty!
Runway 2024: Chrysalis was a hit! Congratulations to our new GAPA Royalty, Miss GAPA 2024 Kalypso (she/her) @kalypso.kalypso and Miss GAPA 2024 Ari Ola (she/her) @theariola! Additional shout-outs to our runners-up Tala (she/her, they/them) @theonlytala and Xtina Agitera (all) @xtina_agitera, as well as Imelda Glucose (she/her) @imeldaglucose, audience choice for Best in Interview and Miraaj (he/him) @miraaj.music recipient of contestants’ Congeniality award. Congratulations also to all the other contestants that graciously shared their most beautiful authentic selves and shined bright as the stars they all are. We are so proud of you all!
It was a jam-packed evening and our evening’s hosts, Jezebel Patel (she/they) and Sir Whitney Queers (he/him) as always brought the sass and sizzle we’ve come to expect. In addition, celebrity performer Tookta wowed us with her Thai pop performance celebrating queer community, while Miss GAPA 2023 Kiki Krunch (she/her) and Mx. GAPA 2023 Lotus Party (he/she/they) presented beautiful production numbers to end their reigns. We also had fabulous pre-show entertainment with the GAPA Men’s Chorus, as well as the Mabuhay Bitches performing at the VIP Reception featuring a beautiful art exhibit by Jethro Patalinghug.
We can’t fail to mention how honored we were to have our outstanding panel of judges. Role models all, this year’s judges included Bobby C., Mr. TGSF 2004; César Cadabes, Director of GAPA Theatre and Mr. GAPA 1996; John Fedellaga, Drag Race Philippines Season 3 cast; Peter J. Kuo, Director of the Conservatory, American Conservatory Theater; and Anjali Rimi, co-founder, Parivar Bay Area and Center for Immigrant Protection.
Lastly, we have to thank our generous sponsors and donors who provided invaluable support in helping make Runway the always fabulous event it has been for over three decades: Bob Ross Foundation, Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights (BAPHR), Center for Immigrant Protection, Gai Chicken, Fresh Meat Productions, The Lotus Project, Castro LGBT Cultural District, Last Call Bar, Red Envelope Giving Circle, Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community (APIQWTC), Darryl Lee, US, Prism Foundation, Tito’s Vodka, SOMA Pilipinas, and San Francisco Arts Commission.
Kudos to our amazing Producer Jethro Patalinghug (they/them) and Stage Manager John Maze (he/him), as well as our awesome Production Team and all the volunteers too numerous to mention. Runway proves there is a voracious appetite for what we do ─ the kind of community-first, for-us-by-us QTAPI excellence that Runway epitomizes is truly a special thing; it’s not something that can be found easily. We look forward to seeing you next year at Runway 2025!
For those who could not attend, or simply want to relive the experience, feel free to check out the Runway program book and event photos taken by @philipwartena and @szaint_satienne.
