USC, Velez bets win big in intercollegiate search for Mr. and Ms. Olive-C

CEBU, Philippines - Ajam-packed Southwestern University Aznar Coliseum last June 5 was witness to the grand coronation ceremony of the first-ever king and queen of the recently-concluded search for Mr. & Ms. Olive-C Campus Model Cebu 2009.

University of San Carlos South Campus’ Marc Kenneth Estuart, who was a hakot-special-award candidate earlier in the pageant, emerged the winner from among 11 male hopefuls. His special and minor awards included Mr. Holiday Gym & Spa Model, Mr. M-Tag Transport Personality, Mr. Framesi Model Look, Mr. Crossover Health Club Body, Mr. Lemuel Rosos Model, Best in Production Number, and Best in Formal Wear.

On the other hand, Velez College’s lass Muriel Adrienne Isidore Orais bagged the title when she bested 10 other equally gorgeous ladies. Like Marc, Muye also had her share of special and minor awards that included Ms. Eskina Fastfood Photogenic, Ms. Salad Dressing Image Model, Ms. Globe Texters’ Choice, Ms. Face of New Placenta, Ms. Lemuel Rosos Model, Ms. Interflora Sexiest Personality, Best in Production Number, and Best in Long Gown.

Muhammad Farhan of host campus Southwestern University was first runner-up. He also won the Mr. Glutamin Gorgeous Body and Best in Resort Wear minor awards. Luan Duan Geronimo of Cebu Doctors’ University was Ms. Olive-C first runner-up and Ms. 88DB.com People’s Choice winner.

The second runners-up were Jylken Sison of College of Technological Sciences Cebu and Queeny Rose Yao of Cebu Sacred Heart College. Sison was also adjudged as Mr. Congeniality, while Yao was this year’s Ms. Creworks Asia Darling.

The rest of the five finalists were Reygin Brion of Royal Christian College (Ms. Banat Hugyaw Readers’ Choice and Ms. Robinsons Place Cebu Best in Talent) and Stephanie Eliza Cummins of University of San Carlos (Ms. M-Tag Transport Personality, Ms. Framesi Model Look, and Ms. Crossover Health Club Body). The males were Rathore Furqan of Southwestern University and Karl Wittlin Casiño of Philippine State College of Aeronautics (Mr. Creworks Asia Darling, Mr. Globe Texters’ Choice, Mr. 88DB.com Peoples’ Choice, and Mr. Banat Hugyaw Readers’ Choice).

Among this year’s female semifinalists were Jenifer Solon of AMA Computer College Mandaue; Marionne Cabahug of Cebu Institute of Technology, who received the Ms. Holiday Gym & Spa Model special award; Christy Jane Perolino of Consolacion National High School; Lydwina Denson of University of San Jose-Recoletos; Jo-ann Delima of Southwestern University, who won the minor awards Best in Festival Costume and Best in Resort Wear; and Denne Zenneth Espinosa of University of Cebu, who was voted by her co-candidates as Ms. Congeniality.

Meanwhile, the male semifinalists were Samuel Lorena of University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue; Elddie Myron Cabahug of the University of the Visayas; Edouard Joshua Ballesteros of University of Cebu Banilad; Steven Remerata of Dolores National High School of Ormoc City, Leyte, who was Mr. Salad Dressing Image Model, Mr. Face of New Placenta, and Mr. Interflora Sexiest Personality; Joren Comaling of University of Cebu METC, also adjudged as Mr. Photogenic and Mr. Robinsons Place Cebu Best in Talent; and John Ray Bacatan (Best in Festival Costume).

Both Estuart and Orais will represent Cebu in the national finals slated later this year, as the other provinces’ version of the pageant kicked off this June. Part of the prizes in winning the national competition is becoming Olive-C’s endorser in addition to “Pinoy Big Brother” Ejay Falcon.

The nearly three-hour show of wit and glamour was directed by Cebu’s famous creative director Lemuel Rosos and hosted by Rommel Pareja. Four of Cebu’s favorite fashion designers, namely, Bernardo Flores (long gown), Edwin Alba (resort wear), Bong Allosa (production number outfit), and Lemuel Rosos himself (formal wear) dressed up the 22 student candidates.

This year’s board of judges, composed of media personalities, designers, entrepreneurs, and former beauty titlists, was chaired by the chief executive officer of Psalmstre Enterprises, Jim Acosta.