Arkoiris Awards 2026: Posthumous Tribute to Momi Chou and Paco 'el del Miau'

The Gáldar gala will honor the careers of key figures in Canary Islands drag and LGTBIQ+ scene, with Paula Vázquez and Roberto Herrera hosting.

Generic image of an abstract rainbow over a stage with blurred audience.
IA

Generic image of an abstract rainbow over a stage with blurred audience.

The 5th edition of the Arkoiris Awards will be held this Sunday at the Guaires Cultural Center in Gáldar, recognizing outstanding figures and presenting two special posthumous awards.

This year's gala, taking place at the Guaires Cultural Center in Gáldar, will not only celebrate diversity and advocacy but also pay tribute to the memory of two emblematic figures of Canary Islands entertainment: Juan Carlos, artistically known as "Momi Chou," and Paco "el del Miau."
"Momi Chou," one of the foremost drag performers on the island, will receive a posthumous award. With three decades of experience, they were known for their histrionics, exaggerated gestures, and stage presence that broke the fourth wall, engaging the audience in their musical numbers. The organization recalls their "whirlwind of joy" and the loss of a unique way of creating spectacle.
The second posthumous tribute will be for Paco "el del Miau," a drag reference and entrepreneur who passed away in April. Their establishment was described as a "safe space" for the LGTBIQ+ Community, a place that "represented the rainbow amidst so much black and white." Furthermore, Paco "el del Miau" was behind the well-known "Chiringays" during the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival.
The hosting of the gala, which will be broadcast by the official channels of the Gáldar City Council starting at 8 PM, will be led, for the second consecutive year, by Paula Vázquez and Roberto Herrera. For two hours, this presenting duo will guide a show blending music, advocacy, and recognition.
The event will feature performances by artists such as Arantza Navarro, Jadel, Laura Doreste, and Sonia Madoc, along with contributions from "Dance It" and the "Ballet Sensación." The gala will also welcome familiar faces from national television, including Arabella Otero, Jorge Moreno, César Muñoz, and Benita Castejón, who will also receive an award.