Pinoy marketer is Apprentice Asia 1st winner

BREAKING NEWS 1: Jonathan Allen Yabut, 27, a Filipino marketer, was named the first-ever winner of The Apprentice Asia which had its grand finals yesterday in Kuala Lumpur. The episode was aired last night exclusively on AXN, producer of the reality-TV search.

In a flash report, Funfare’s RMA (“Roving Man in Asia”) said, “The host, Tony Fernandes, has his Apprentice in AXN’s latest made-in-Asia-for-Asia original production of The Apprentice Asia!”

Fernandes is the counterpart of Donald Trump in the show’s US edition.

Over 11 gruelling episodes, Jonathan, a senior product manager, beat 11 other contestants who made the cut among applicants across Asia.

Added RMA, “The series culminated in the nail-biting final showdown between Jonathan and Singaporean lawyer Andrea Loh in their final task to organize a black-tie charity fund-raiser for AirAsia Foundation.”

The moment Fernandes told him, “You’re hired!”, Jonathan earned the priceless opportunity to work at one of the enterprises owned by the aviation tycoon and Forbes Asia’s 2010 “Asia Businessman of the Year.”

Noted RMA, “Fernandes is best known for turning around AirAsia and breaking even within a year of taking over.”

A UP Economics graduate, Jonathan out-gunned everyone through 10 boardroom trials and countless tests of ability in sales, negotiation, creativity, management, marketing, leadership and mettle.

“It has been a very humbling experience to compete against some of the region’s best brains in business,” RMA quoted Jonathan as saying, flashing a triumphant if    nervous smile. “I treasure the opportunities I had to learn from my fellow contestants, as well as Mr. Tony Fernandes, and his advisors Mr. Mark Lankester and Ms. Kathleen Tan.

“Winning The Apprentice Asia is the perfect springboard to build a fulfilling career and I am excited to work for Mr. Fernandes. I thank AXN for the opportunity to be on The Apprentice Asia which has been the most thrilling experience of my life so far. I hope The Apprentice Asia will inspire the many aspiring young talents in our region to become Apprentices in their own right, to dream and to make it big.”

Shot in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the Asian adaptation of the US reality series was helmed by reality-TV guru, Mark Burnett (The Voice, Survivor) and FremantleMedia Asia, a leading global entertainment company. The Apprentice Asia’s 12 contestants from Singapore, Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines came from backgrounds as diverse as entertainment, food & beverage, hospitality, information technology, law and finance. Contestants quit jobs, delayed weddings and set their businesses aside to accommodate the one month-long production.

“Following four seasons of The Amazing Race Asia, as well as Cyril: Simply Magic and Cash Cab Asia, The Apprentice Asia represents AXN’s next milestone in creativity and innovation. The success of the series reaffirms AXN’s leadership in producing original content that audiences love,” said Hui Keng Ang, Senior Vice President, Business Operations, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.

“On behalf of AXN Asia, we congratulate Jonathan for becoming Asia’s first Apprentice, and thank Tony, Mark and Kathleen for their unyielding commitment and dedication to the series. We also want to express our deepest gratitude to the sponsors of The Apprentice Asia for sharing our creative vision and passion to entertain and engage viewers,” he added.

The Apprentice Asia is presented by Expedia, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, AirAsia, IG Markets, official smartphone Blackberry and official car Volkswagen.

Hear ye, hear ye!

A “warning” from the BPCI (Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc.): 

Please be informed that Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), the organizer of Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant and official holder of the franchises for Miss Universe and Miss International is in no way connected with any entity and/or pageant operating in other countries such as the Binibining Pilipinas-USA and its affiliates.

This clarification is being made after receiving several inquiries from different sectors on the true relationship of BPCI and Binibining Pilipinas-USA. The public’s confusion apparently stems from the blatant and unauthorized use of logos, format, layout, activities, name, mark, style design and concept that are disturbingly similar and almost identical to that of BPCI’s Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant.

While imitation may be the best compliment, BPCI issues this clarification to caution all entities, sponsors, partners and candidates that it has not in any way granted authorization to any pageant or organization to stage a competition on its behalf. Hence it will not honor any commitment or agreement that any party may enter into in connection with “Binibining Pilipinas-USA” or any similar pageant, as a consequence of its contest, including contracts as to prizes, sponsors and production, and other activities. BPCI likewise advises clients of “Binibining Pilipinas-USA” that it will not honor or hold itself liable under any promise; contract or offer whatsoever intended to bind BPCI.

What’s up?

 Birthday greetings to Ethel Ramos who’s turning a new leaf today (Aug. 1). She shares a birthday with Cesar Montano and Tina Paner.

 Pahabol: The vintage photos of Susan Roces (with leading) that accompanied Funfare’s birthday tribute to her (in the July 27 issue) were courtesy of Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas who keeps a bayong-ful of collectors’ items (rare photos, etc.).

 Those who found my Hugh Jackman interview (for Wolverine) on Startalk last July 20 may view the full interview on philstar.com. Tune in na!...I am inviting all of you to follow me on my Instagram account (therealrickylo) which has to be put up to eliminate fake ones (including Twitter and Facebook accounts) done by people without my consent. If you follow me, I will follow you, too. Promise!

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)