Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu bets bare their advocacies

CEBU, Philippines — Five of the 20 Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu hopefuls, in an interview with BANAT News’ online show “BANATanay!,” shared their preparations and why they decided to join the competition.

“This is a big opportunity to share our advocacy, especially to the community which has many problems. We have different advocacies like health and wellness and helping save street children,” said Gerard Flores, a pageant rookie from Naga City.

During the Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu 2019 press presentation at The Pyramid, provincial director Dexter Alazas said that apart from finding the total package, the competition also wants to elevate male pageantry.

Lorenzo Isip of Argao shared his insights regarding other people’s views of pageants as objectifying its participants.

“Kung tan-awon nato ang pageants, murag sayon lang. But as a candidate, ang preparation, ang discipline nga among gi-acquire to be part of it, dili jud sayon…like having a nice body, nice personality, being smart… It’s not easy. Dili tanan mahatagan ani na opportunity. This is difficult and nindot na experience,” the 20-year-old Tourism Management student said.

Isip added that pageants make way for candidates to not only help their community, but to also improve their confidence.

Should they win the competition, the candidates wish to promote their respective advocacies, like HIV awareness for Gideon Cabatingan of Liloan, aiding homeless children for Jaron Acha, and helping the less fortunate and public schools for Kensley Joren of Mandaue City.

The rest of the Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu 2019 candidates include OJ Estologa, Vern Compuesto, Brian Marchan, Kevin Comcom, Earl Jude Ramos, Kenny Torrevillas, James Gabuya, Joren Chiva, Christian Palasol, Edbert Duhanglungsod, Dan Cajages, Jose Cortez, Alexis Malagar, and Eric Visser.

The candidates will be having their Talent Competition at the Soltana Tent in Mactan this Saturday, July 20, as part of their pre-pageant activities. The event will also double as a fashion show featuring the creations of Alejandro Godinez, Mike Yapching, Rei Escario, Danny Booc, Mel Maria, Brendon Cenon and Dexter Alazas.

In August, the gentlemen will heat up the stage in their Swimwear Competition. They will be also taking part in workshops, seminars, and challenges meant to bring out the best in them.

A search for a “new modern day hero,” the Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu 2019 search will culminate on September 21 in a finals night that will feature a post-modern heroes-themed collection. The swimwear segment will showcase a Datu Lapu-Lapu-inspired bahag, while the formal wear will highlight the Bisaya barong and the local hablon.

Among the major prizes are Best in Talent, Best in Resort Wear, Best in Modern Day Hero Costume, and Best in Barong Bisaya.

The Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu 2019 grand titlist shall be known as Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu Hero 2019 and will take home P100,000 and other prizes. He will also earn the opportunity to represent Cebu in Ginoong Pilipinas by October where titles for Ginoong Pilipinas-Universe, Ginoong Pilipinas-Gentleman of the World, Ginoong Pilipinas-Man of the Year, and Ginoong Pilipinas-Imperial Universe are at stake.

Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu runners-up will also be named and they will bear the titles of Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu-North, Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu-South, Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu-East and Ginoong Pilipinas Cebu-West.