At A Glance
- Carlo Morris Galang heads Prime Event Productions Philippines (PEPPs), the group that organizes the annual MOF search. He recently opened his year's search for the country's pageant kings, already its tenth edition, making MOF the longest running male pulchritude competition in the Philippines.
Jovy Bequillo Man Hot Star International 2022
Time does fly – really fast. I can still vividly recall how the country’s first Misters of Filipinas (MOF) winner, Gil Wagas of Cebu, was asked to do a live guest appearance on a radio program that I used to host immediately after his crowning. Not only was that my first brush with a male pageant winner, it also marked the start of a friendship that I will build with the pageant organizers that, somehow, I was able to keep until this very day. It has been 10 years since that radio appointment in 2013 and I have seen how MOF has slowly but surely transformed itself as a credible organization that continues to shape the male pageantry landscape not just in the country but worldwide.
Carlo Morris Galang heads Prime Event Productions Philippines (PEPPs), the group that organizes the annual MOF search. He recently opened his year’s search for the country’s pageant kings, already its tenth edition, making MOF the longest running male pulchritude competition in the Philippines.
“We constantly embrace innovation. Sa 10th year, mas creative and mas innovative ang magiging design ng pageant. We will retain the Festival Kings concept for our costume competition. We will have the MOF Gala, and then we will launch the MOF Academy,” he shared.
The MOF Academy will provide candidates with professionally managed pageant training and schooling. The competition will likewise expand beyond what is considered traditional and try to elevate its relevance through the use of more modern channels. Galang adds: “We are embracing digital and online executions. The audience can expect MOF to be more visible both on ground and online.”
True enough, during MOF’s press presentation over the weekend, more than 100 social media influencers were on hand to cover the event and create content that focused on the 30 plus candidates presented to the public. PEPPs is looking at having 40 official candidates for its tenth year, but others, including those from various Filipino Communities abroad have yet to send their delegates to Manila for the competition.
Proof to the organization’s growing positive image is its standing in the international community. Recently, it even got prominently featured in Dateline Australia and in two more foreign media networks because of its trailblazing efforts to elevate pageantry both locally and internationally.
“When it comes to uplifting the image of male pageantry, MOF ang nagtataguyod niyan. In every country they follow MOF. Even international pageants have asked for our assistance as professional consultants,” Galang reveals.
Over the years, MOF has produced countless international winners from its roster of kings. One of the organization’s more recent big winners is Naga City’s Jovy Bequillo, who is currently the reigning Man Hot Star International, who credits the organization for changing his life.
“360 degrees. Before I joined MOF, I was just a regular employee sa government. I joined the first MOF-Bicolandia where I was hailed as the first prince. Nawalan ako ng gana. Pero Sir Carlo gave me a chance to represent Naga. Bale, dalawa kaming naging representatives from Bicol. From there di ko na sinayang yung chance ko, dinoble ko ang preparations ko. Blessing na tinawag akong Man Hot Star. I only had one month to prepare for the international pageant. I tripled my efforts to represent the Philippines. And the rest is history. I thank MOF for allowing me to represent the country and showcase my talent,” Bequillo shares.
Carlo Morris Galang
As Man Hot Star International, Bequillo now lives the life of a celebrity in Thailand. The title has thrown him into the fast-paced world of celebrity, something that he now has to get used to. He says: “Sobrang busy. Almost every day may guesting sa Thailand, meetings din and promotions of products. They call me Joey there kasi medyo hirap silang i-pronounce yung “v.” Mahirap din po. Ibang culture, may language barrier. Nag-learn ako mag-speak ng Thai at gumamit ng google translate. I had to make friends with them.”
An issue being thrown at this year’s Misters competition is the system’s having allowed participation of those who openly participate in daring bikini open competitions. Bequillo sees nothing wrong with it. “MOF is very open naman sa lahat ng pageantry kahit bikini open ka pa galing. We give opportunities to everyone na may pangarap sa buhay. We support everyone.”
Ten years into its game, MOF is still in the business not just of mounting pageants but of changing lives. The best prizes and opportunities go to the winners, of course, which makes Bequillo wish his successor brothers the best.
“Good luck sa inyo at huwag kayong maging kampante. Habang di pa tinatawag names nyo sa coronation night, di pa tapos ang laban. Importante yung attitude.” Evidently, a year has truly turned him into one fine mister.