Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) and Misters of Filipinas (MOF) emerged as the biggest winners in this year’s inaugural Pageant Excellence Awards held at the Teatrino in Greenhills over the weekend.

MUP, now in its fifth year of selecting Filipinas best to represent the country in the annual Miss Universe pageant, won the Female Pageant System of the Year. Its latest delegate to what is considered the most prestigious pageant in the world is Michelle Dee, who placed in the top 10 of this year’s international competition.

After 10 successful annual productions, MOF was named the Male Pageant System of the Year, beating six other pageant searches for men.  MOF boasts a 97 percent success rate in its international forays, with almost all of those it bestowed Mr. Philippine sashes securing a placement in their respective contests.    

After being honored as a Pageant Icon for having represented the Philippines in an international male pageant some years back, MOF Founder and Head Carlo Morris Galang was shocked to have been named the Pageant Producer of the Year for his twin projects, MOF and Man of the World.

“Sobrang kinilabutan ako nung na-receive ko itong award na ito.  Super overwhelmed ako dito sa mga awards na binigay sa akin.  Unexpected.  Ganito pala yung feeling na yung hard work mo, yung paghihirap mo for how many years, nasusuklian sya at narerecognize sya ng mga premyadong media companies para dito sa mga awards na ito,” was all he could say while clutching his multiple awards in his hands.

Also rewarded for their work and dedication to pageantry were the Pageant Blogger, Pageant Blog Site, Pageant Vlogger, Pageant Chronicler (Reporter), and Pageant Photographer of the Year.  Interestingly, the award for male lensman went to a woman, Joy Arguil, who has been covering pageants for  10 years.

“Nakakataba ng puso kasi nare-recognize yung hardwork mo.  It inspires na lalo nang mag-work hard pa ako to cover international and national pageants, “ she said upon receiving her award.  “I love photography.  Passion.  I used to cover car shows kasi I love cars tapos during car shows di ba mayroong girls doon, sabi sa akin ng mga pageant photographers doon, i-cover ko daw yung mga girls.  Tapos yung mga pageant photographers sila nag-invite sa akin kasi they liked my photos,” she added.

Also given citations and recognitions during the three-hour ceremony were pageant kings and queens from years past, including Miss World 1973 First Runner-up Evangeline Pascual; Miss International 1979, Melanie Marquez, the proud mother of the reigning queen of the moment, Michelle Dee; prominent and respected pageant personalities like Queen Maker, Rodgil Flores, of the Kagandahang Flores camp; Pageant Reporter, Lhar Santiago of GMA7; and even, Manila Bulletin’s very own Thrillmaker, Joee Guilas, who was named as Pageant Consultant of the Year.

This year’s winners were selected by a panel of media and pageant experts. The Philippine Pageantry Excellence Awards was organized by recognized “Awards Guru,” Richard Hinola, who emphasized: “Dapat every year meron nito.  Kailangang i-orient natin ang lahat ng Pinoy.  Kasi iba na ngayon ang generation eh, nakakalimutan na nila yung mga dating titleholders. Deserve nila ang ma-acknowledge kasi hindi gawang biro ang mag-represent ng Philippines at mag-invest ng pawis at dugo para i-represent ang ating mahal na bansa.”