Glitz and glamor filled the night during the inaugural Philippine Pageantry Excellence Awards held recently at the Teatrino Greenhills Promenade in San Juan.
The Awards, organized and presented by Best Magazine publisher Richard Hiñola II, honored outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations in the pageant industry.
Winners include PEPPS/Misters of Filipinas’ Carlo Morris Galang (Male Pageant Producer of the Year), Joy Arguil (Lenswoman/Photographer of the Year), Edge Tenoria (Pageant Blogger of the Year), Adam Genato (Pageant Vlogger of the Year), Ferdinand Abejon of Eventologie (Pageant Blog Site/Page of the Year) and this writer won Pageant Chronicler of the Year (for Manila Standard) as well as bagging the Best Dressed Male special award.
Beauty queens honored were Melanie Marquez (Miss International 1979), Catriona Gray (Miss Universe 2018), Evangeline Pascual (Miss World 1973), Daisy Reyes-Tobias (Bb. Pilipinas World 1996), Jenette Fernando (Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism 1993), Gwendolyne Furniol (Miss World Philippines 2022), Diane Querrer (Miss Philippines Air 2014), Patricia Javier (Noble Queen of the Universe 2019), Avon Morales (Mrs. Asia Pacific Global 2019), Gianna Margarita Llanes (Miss Philippines Water 2020 / News Anchor – Mata ng Agila sa Tanghali & Mata ng Agila International), Jeanne Angeles Harn (Miss Philippines Earth 2007), Janelle Tee (Miss Philippines Earth 2019), Monique Teruelle Manuel (Miss Earth Philippines-Eco Tourism 2014), Patricia Fernandez (Bb. Pilipinas International 2008), Model Mom Universe 2024 Maxine Misa, JM Razon (Model Mom Universe 2021), and Dr. Riza Oben Dormiendo (Mrs. Philippines International Face of Beauty 2019).
Also awarded were Maria Charo Calalo (Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019-2020 / National Director Mrs. Universe Philippines), Arlene Cris Damot (Mrs. Universe 2023 2nd Runner-Up), Arlene Jane Camus Knof (Model Mom Universe 2021-2022), Ashley Gomez (Miss Campus Role Model Philippines), Atheena Taccad-Dizon (Model Mom Philippines 2022), AZ Martinez (Miss Summit International 2023), Braeline Jade Jimenez (Miss Pre-Teen Tourism World 2023 Grand Winner), Emhilie Brenn Kimberly P. Ybanes (Miss Kid Humanity International 2023 / Princess of the Universe 2023), Eren Noche (President Noble Queen of the Universe / Mrs. Universe Philippines 2011), Erika Joy Santos (Mrs. Philippines 2023 Woman of the Universe 2023), Faye Tangonan (Ms. Universe International 2018-2019), Francine Reyes (Ms. Eco Teen Philippines 2023), Jenny Lin Maaño Ngai (Miss Pampanga 1999), and Leandrea Batingan (Miss Humanity International 2022).
Other awardees were Loue Manuel Bozhilov (Mrs. Continental International 2023), Mabel Vitor (Noble Queen of the Universe Philippines 2023-Mindanao), Marjorie Rozol (Mrs. Philippines Tourism Globe 2023), Monaliza Hernandez Salenga (Mrs. Universe Philippines Northeast Asia 2023), Rhonalyn Whigan Cabigao (Miss Eco Saver 2023 – 1st Runner-Up), Sheralene Shirata (Noble Queen Earth 2022), Princess Margaret Olarte (Noble Queen of the Philippines 2023-Luzon), Susan Villanueva (Mrs. Face of Tourism 2023), Vanessa Magbojos (Elite Mrs. Philippines International 2023).
The beauty kings honored were Wilbert Tolentino (the first Mr. Gay World Philippines in 2009), John Jeffrey Carlos (Mr. Gay World 2019), Kirk Bondad (Mr. World Philippines 2021), Robert Douglas Walcher IV (Mister Teen International 2023), Carlo Morris Galang (Manhut Philippines 2010 / PEPPS Man of the World / Misters of Filipinas President), and RJ de Vera (Misters Filipinas Manhot Star International 2023).
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The untold story of Imelda Papin
Singer and OPM Icon Imelda Papin took to the red carpet to lead the cast of her film ‘Loyalista: The Untold Story of Imelda Papin’ during a star-studded special advance screening, held recently at SM Megamall Cinemas 1, 2 & 3.
Produced by Queenstar Film Production and directed by Gabby Ramos, the biographical film traces the singer’s remarkable rise to stardom as the country’s undisputed Jukebox Queen, and focuses on the sentimental songstress’ life in Hawaii joining the deposed and exiled President Ferdinand Marcos after the 1986 People Power Revolution.
The biopic has good direction, cinematography and production values, with fine ensemble performances by Claudine Barretto as Imelda Papin, Alice Dixson as Imelda Marcos, Jorge ‘ER’ Estregan as President Marcos, Maffi Papin Carreon as herself and Gary Estrada as Bong Carrion.