5.18.2007

A Look Back At Hari ng Negros

Palanca-winning writer Ian Rosales Casocot says:

"There is no doubt that the prestige of this particular pageant has been increasing year to year, and at the same time attracting more and more visitors into coming to Canlaon City -- that faraway city in the sky -- to watch it. This may be because previous winners of the title have gone on to successes in film, business, and modeling: past winners include local top model Paul Brett Orozco, businessman Emmanuel Labirua, and screen actor Reiven Bulado who parlayed his win to receive a plum role in Cesar Montano's award-winning film Panaghoy sa Suba. It has attracted luminaries as well.. the panel of judges comprised of famous names in film, tourism, and the international fashion field, such as fashion designer Patis Tesoro, high society don Ado Escudero of Villa Escudero, Brussels International Film Festival director Robert Malengreau, FashionTV Asia producer Rebecca Piket, international supermodel Laury Prudent, and DOT International Tourism Director Ting de los Reyes. On paper, and in press releases, Hari ng Negros sounds very much like a big deal. My mission was to dig to the depths, observe the entire process, and come up with conclusions as to why pageants hold sway over our baser interests."

I received an e-mail on my Friendster account today from someone who asked me why I haven't written a thing about my experience at the 2006 Hari ng Negros (King of Negros) pageant. I haven't replied to her yet as it was only today that I realized that yeah, I haven't blogged about it at all..

I was first asked to join Hari in 2005. I immediately said no because being a Paulinian, there was no way the nuns were ever going to allow me to strut my stuff in swimming trunks on stage! The idea of being in a "personality contest" - the term I use for beauty pageants, is also far from what my interests were in college. I was Editor in Chief of the University paper, was a champion debater and orator, and was in the student government. Shortly after I had graduated, I found work - which took be to Cebu, and lived there for six months. Being very close to my family, I resigned and came back to Dumaguete. That was the time when agents started knocking on my door again and I finally gave it a go!

July 2, 2006 - Hari ng Negros pageant.

The show begins with the Festival Costume Competition.

In my costume. I introduce myself to the audience.

The twenty-four candidates sway to a hip hop beat in the MTV Streetwear Competition.

This is me in my streetwear dancing. I am later named "Best in Streetwear".

The Swimwear Competition begins.

The last semifinal event: Barong Tagalog Competition.

Here I am modeling my barong. Designer is Meloy Jalando-on of Bacolod City.

The 24 candidates wait nervously for the announcement of the Top Ten.

I get in! The Top Ten are now interviewed by the judges. Here I am respoding to DOT International Tourism Director Ting de los Reyes' question. I am later named "Best Speaker."

The Top Five are called. That's me far right (in blue barong.) The finalists now had to respond to questions from fellow finalists. Mr. Escalante Andreo Poleros asks me, "How would you describe the color blue to a blind person?" To this I say, "If I were to describe the color blue to a blind person, I would take his hand and make him feel ice because blue is a cool color, and this will give him an idea of what the color blue is." And the audience went wild.

Hari ng Negros 2005 Paul Brett Orozco does his final walk.

The Top Three are announced and I am the first one called!

Final Question: What is a man's relevance in today's modern times? I answered, "A man's relevance is his substance... what he has to say and what he has between his ears. An intelligent man is a relevant man. More intelligent men means more progress for a country. This is the relevance of a man."