The rise of the next "Hari ng Negros"

CEBU, Philippines – For the seventh season, the Canlaon City Government, under the leadership of Mayor Judith Cardenas, will be hosting the island-wide Hari Ng Negros-Ginoong Canlaon to highlight the 42nd charter anniversary of the city. The Hari ng Negros is one of the country’s most prestigious male pageants, with local and international personalities in the entertainment, fashion and tourism industries contributing to its success.

According to Ricky Schon, the pageant’s producer, the competition is not only about the contestants, rather, it is a showcase of the talents and culture of the Negrenses, and more of the people behind the scene of the pageant. This year the pageant will carry the theme, Arise, the Phoenix! symbolizing the rebirth of Negros as a tourism and cultural hub through the sustaining fire of Mt. Canlaon.

Just recently, the contestants were made into living canvasses for the island’s top visual artists in the Pintados Body Painting competition, a practice reminiscent of the ancient pintados of Negros.

On the production side, the show will be directed by Negros Oriental’s celebrated choreographer, Dean David Ang, who also choreographed the Yagyag Festival of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, which figured in many festival competitions throughout the country including the Sinulog. Musical score is done by Bacolod’s DJ Reebok, while special effects will be handled by DSS Fireworks of Dumaguete, also known to have won in competitions, most prominent of which is the Sinulog and Dinagyang Festivals.

The audience will also be entertained by the fire blowers of La Castellana and air dancers of San Carlos City, with rhythms courtesy of the drum beaters from La Carlota.

This year, the competition will gather 27 candidates representing the different cities and municipalities of both Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. “Hari unifies the entire Negros island,” said Michael Ocampo, the pageant’s founder and organizer.

This year’s judges will include, among others, Ms. Patis Tesoro, the country’s top designer of terno gowns and barong; Ado Escudero, who owns the Villa Escudero estate of San Pablo City; Robert Malengreau, international film festival director; and Mario J. delos Reyes, an award-winning film and television director.

Although the production is simple compared to the elaborate and extravagant productions of other pageants, the Hari has maintained its status as a top pageant by holding onto its humble roots. In fact, Hari’s Friendster account is one of the country’s most visited pages in the web, while the blogsite is one of the most interactive online gatherings enjoying up to 3 million views in a week.