The Ginoong Pilipinas pageant, which aspires to be the top male beauty pageant in the Philippines and the counterpart of Binibining Pilipinas, will make its triumphant comeback this year which will happen in Cebu in May, following a three-year hiatus brought on by the epidemic.
The structure of Ginoong Pilipinas 2023 will mostly follow that of past editions, including competition segments for national and regional costumes, swimwear, and barong. However, there will be more local interactions, activities, and side events this time.
Manuel "Manix" L. Genabe III, the CEO of Ginoong Pilipinas and Borgen Entertainment Ventures Company, held a media launch on Jan. 16 at the Cebu Quincentennial Hotel. Dexter Alazas, the head of Ginoong Pilipinas 2023, and Mr. Genabe talked about the preliminary plans for this year's pageant.
The theme for Ginoong Pilipinas 2023 is "Sustainable Tourism in the New Normal," and Genabe outlined four reasons for choosing the tagline and the province as the host location.
First and foremost, they want to help boost travelers' confidence in going to the province, so putting the pre-pageant events and coronation in Cebu—the hub of the Visayas—was "ideal."
Second, they aim to help companies in the tourism industry that are attempting to adjust and endure in the new normal after the pandemic.
Third, they hope to demonstrate and promote to everyone about domestic tourism by demonstrating to "the world that Filipinos are now traveling to other provinces within the country, and in turn, influence them to also travel to the Philippines."
Finally, they also aim to demonstrate to tourists and businesses that the new normal should not be a barrier "for us to move further and forward"
Genabe added , “the current secretary of tourism is from here, so how can we go wrong with Cebu? ", continued Genabe, alluding to Christina Garcia-Frasco, secretary of the Department of Tourism.
"We're traveling to Cebu's south and north, so there may be resorts there. We are willing to work with several LGUs, according to Alazas. In order to make it more inclusive for everyone in the Visayas, we will also be looking into nearby provinces of Cebu."
"The tourist attractions in Cebu would be promoted," continued Genabe, “The tourism spots of Cebu will be highlighted because we want to bridge Cebu not only to the Philippines, but also to the world.”
CEBU AS POWERHOUSE STAGE OF GGP
Alazas, a well-known fashion designer in Cebu and owner of a modeling/talent agency, considers it an honor to be given the chance to plan the tilt in the city.
Candidates will be encouraged to wear the weaves and designers from their own communities to highlight their own locality, according to Alazas, who has long pushed for sustainable livelihood community development using the hablon, Argao, Cebu handloom weaving sector.
“We are a powerhouse, not only in pageants, but also in creatives, designers – world-class at that. It’s going to be a big challenge for me and my team, but with all your support, I know that we’ll make it with flying colors,” he said.
Alazas shared, “One of my thrusts is product development. That’s the first project I want the candidates to do: promote the products of their localities as part of tourism. So we will go to a certain community/locality…it won’t be just the sights, but something tangible, something one can bring as a souvenir.”
GINOO’S GOAL
Ginoong Pilipinas' current goal is to have 10 candidates from each of the three Philippine regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Franchise owners will be free to choose to appoint their delegates or host provincial or regional pageants to choose their representatives.
“We want Ginoong Pilipinas to be the foremost male pageant in the Philippines. And the only way to do that, I believe, is to make it reachable to all provinces. Financially, it’s draining . If someone from Mindanao will fly all the way to Cebu…Cebu being the heart of the Visayas and in the middle of the Philippines, its geographical location is a perfect choice,” according to Genabe.
Genabe added “And I think with the history of Cebu in all the pageants, with the help of Mr. Alazas, and with Erik (Visser), I’m sure he’ll be able to promote this among his peers…ganyan na ganyan ang mga kailangan nating contestants eh, mala Erik.”
At the finals, the Ginoong Pilipinas Man of the Year and Ginoong Pilipinas Universe Tourism titles are the two confirmed main titles at stake.
Ginoong Pilipinas is searching for someone who can continue Visser's work for tourism and who will also be the best ambassador for his province and ultimately the Philippines abroad.
"Mr. Universe Tourism” is a pageant that actually supports sustainable tourism and turning tourism into a driver of economic development. Therefore, we're essentially seeking for someone who can execute plans on his own initiative in order to introduce his country to the rest of the world. We're looking for someone to represent the Philippines at the national pageant, according to Mr. Genabe.
With regards to Ginoong Pilipinas Man of the Year, Romart Lagura of Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental now holds the title, which requires candidates to have "extremely good body shape" and be aware about the protection of endangered species, which is the Man of the Year's advocacy.
QUALITY ABOVE QUANTITY
When asked by about how Ginoong Pilipinas distinguishes itself from all the rising male pageants in the nation, Genabe responded, "Quality above Quantity."
"Generally speaking, Ginoong Pilipinas 2023 prioritizes quality over quantity”. Genabe said, "I was telling Dexter, okay lang kahit sampu lang yan, basta sampung Erik. Because I'd rather have one candidate with the face, body, and ability to speak and think than have 50 prospects with none of those attributes. We want to present Ginoong Pilipinas in that light.”
"Erik is a testament to how we stand apart from other male pageants”, says Genabe. “Someone who is a complete package," he said. "With our brand, you can be confident that there will never be an issue of exploitation or really short or revealing swimwear. Binibining Pilipinas is also without a doubt the one of most prestigious female pageant in the Philippines. What then is Binibini's counterpart? Ginoo. Binibing Pilipinas too will incidentally take place in May as well.”
However, we are not in competition with anyone because the more the merrier, so to speak.
According to Genabe, a contestant's physical attractiveness should still be given first priority. "Because this is still a beauty pageant at the end of the day. So, in my opinion, winning will always come down to beauty. Speaking, thinking, and advocacy skills come in second place. Dapat maganda or gwapo ka para lapitan ka, as Mamu stated. Doon na lalabas ang salita kapag lapitan ka na. The inner beauty, lalabas at labas yan, kung meron,” he said.
Visser said joining Ginoong Pilipinas was a life-changing experience. He will finally compete internationally this March 12–21 for Mister Universe Tourism in Bali, Indonesia.
“Although the pandemic did delay my international pageant, I very much look forward to it. I’m just thankful to where it got me today. All over the Philippines, I’m able to get projects thanks to the Ginoong Pilipinas organization,” the Fil-Dutch model said.
The organization's vice president for aesthetics Antonio "Mamu Tonett" Chua, and the current title holder, Ginoong Pilipinas Universe Tourism 2019, Erik Lennart Visser, who competed on behalf of Cebu, were also present in the media launch.
Also in attendance is the organization’s corporate secretary, who has represented Marinduque in Miss World Philippines 2022 and Miss Universe Philippines 2021, Simone Nadine Bornilla, the 19-year-old stepdaughter of Mr. Genabe.