ABS-CBN SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH MISS CHINATOWN FOUNDATION/MR. & MISS CHINATOWN 2013

ABS-CBN the country’s premier network company recently signed a deal with Miss Chinatown Foundation, and part of that agreement, ABS-CBN will air the first ever search for Mr. & Miss Chinatown that will happen on June 30 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

The Mr. & Miss Chinatown pageant; on its maiden year of presenting this competition has attracted quite a number of hopefuls that went through the screening process, but only a total of 32 Filipino-Chinese candidates equally divided to 16 males and 16 females, aged 18 to 25 made it to the final cut. And many of those who made it to the finals are of with mixed culture with Chinese descent. Some of them are pure-blooded Chinese, some are half Filipino-half Chinese and the rest are of a fraction of Chinese lineage. And to name the female candidates, they are: Jerene Tan, Robylyn Kimberly Tan, Michelle Marie Sy, Rolini Lim Pineda, Jamie Chua Reyes, Lhowelle Lyka Tan, Sheryl Elaine Chua, Samantha Jade Dy, Maricon Cho, Hannah Dy, Frances Elaine Cham, Kimberly Nicole Ang Mas, Aeryka Chua, Catrina Myka De Guzman Ang, Catherine Yao and Anna Patricia Baesa Tan. While for the male candidates, they are: Oliver Chen, Glenn Kevin Choa, Sydney Du, Glenn Andrew Magante, Josse Miguel Lasala, Alvis Lim, Jaime Ripoll, Randy See, Bruce Willis Wo Sing, John Christopher Sy, Arthur Emmanuel Tan, Frederick Jan Bee Tan, Jerome Edward Tan, Sheng-han Yang, Francis Kevin Yao and John Patrick Yap.  

During the pageant’s recent media presentation held at Sincerity Restaurant in Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, we were given a chance to interview some of the candidates and we were able to know some interesting facts about them that I will share in the latter part of my writing. 

With various cultures involved, this pageant will surely capture the attention of both Filipinos and Chinese alike because of the long ties between the Philippines and the country of China not only when it comes to business relation, but more importantly when it comes to marriage relation as proven by a lot of Filipino-Chinese present in our country and in other places as well. Having said those facts, it only makes this pageant extra-special. So it’s really like a meeting of two cultures and shared values which will result to a better relation between the Filipinos and the Chinese people.

Here are some interesting information about some of the candidates:

Candidate # 2 Robylyn Kimberly Tan is a graduate of B. S. Entrepreneurship from University of Asia & the Pacific. Robylyn is now a businesswoman who helps her mother managing their family business.

Candidate # 3 Michelle Marie Sy is a graduate of B.S. Entrepreneurship from De La Salle University and is now managing their family business. Michelle’s inspiration in life are the people around her and what many do not know about Michelle is that she leads a Bible study in her group and she is a committed follower of Jesus Christ who regularly attends Christ Commission Fellowship located at Frontera Verde, Ortigas Avenue corner C5 Road, Pasig City. There are a lot of unexplored areas in Michelle’s life and that is the reason why she is into this pageant. Michelle’s guiding principle in life is a quotation from Ephesians 5:16 which says “Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with God’s Spirit."

Candidate # 4 Rolini Lim Pineda is a 19 year old 4^th year college student currently studying in Philippine School of Interior Designing taking up Interior Designing. This is the first time Rolini joined a pageant and when she was asked why she joined Mr. & Miss Chinatown pageant, she said,  “I joined this pageant because I want to extend my horizon and discover more things.”

Candidate # 5-Jamie Chua Reyes is a graduate of Interior Design from the University of Santo Thomas and is presently working in Focus Global as an interior designer. Jamie’s inspiration in life is her mother which she believes she inherited some of the traits of her mom who is also a beauty queen in their place in Camarines province in Bicol as Ms. Libmanan during her mother’s earlier years. Jamie joined this pageant because she wants to grow and explore more things as an individual.

Candidate # 7-Sheryl Elaine Chua is a newly graduate from Ateneo De Manila University with double major in B. S. Management and minor in Chinese Studies. Her motto in life is “Giving up is an option, but happiness is a choice.” And when I asked her who is her inspiration, she gladly said that “God is my inspiration.”

Candidate # 14-Myka Ang is a 2^nd year college student in College of Saint Benilde taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. Myka joined this pageant because she wants to represent herself as an individual. And her guiding principle in life is the phrase “You may never have a choice about your situation in life, but you still have a choice to be a better person.”

The judges present during the Mr. & Miss Chinatown talent competition held last June 14 at the Atrium of Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo. 

Watch out for the Grand Coronation night of Mr. & Miss Chinatown 2013 pageant as it goes live on June 30 on ABS-CBN channel 2.                            Text and photos by Ricky Castillo