Misters of Filipinas Academy introduces first five ‘housemates’
The Misters of Filipinas Academy presents the first five participants in its summer boot camp. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
MANILA, Philippines—After announcing a casting call for aspiring male pageant candidates to its “summer boot camp,” the Misters of Filipinas Academy has presented the first five qualifiers who will receive a series of training and workshops under one roof.
Archmylz Angel Perez and James Harley Lagas from Batangas, Jerad De La Raga from Bacolod, Jovy Morante from Tarlac and Bill Gerali Galvin III from Baguio City were presented at the birthday bash of Carlo Morris Galang, president of Prime Event Productions Philippines (PEPPS) Foundation Inc., which organizes the Misters of Filipinas and Man of the World pageants, held at Palacio del Maynila in Manila on Wednesday, April 26.
Galang said there were seven other qualifiers, but that they were unable to join the five lads because they were coming from faraway provinces. All 12 “housemates” will be gathered under one roof for a series of activities designed to develop the participants’ skills, knowledge and confidence which will prepare them not only for pageantry but also for the fashion and entertainment industries.
“The selection process for the boot camp includes various factors including potential, but it is not the sole determining factor. Our focus for this cohort is to prepare all participants holistically, regardless of their previous experience or background. We aim to help each participant develop their skills and confidence, and ultimately become better versions of themselves,” he said in an earlier interview.
“There will be three sessions per day during the boot camp, each lasting two hours. These sessions will cover a range of topics including catwalk techniques, grooming, styling and photoshoots, and will be led by experienced trainers and industry experts,” shared Galang, who said the program will start in May.
At the end of the program on May 26, the five most promising participants will move on to become official candidates of the 10th edition of the Misters of Filipinas pageant in September. But Galang issued a clarification: “It is important to note that all participants in the Misters of Filipinas competition have to go through a rigorous selection process, and the successful candidates who qualified through the boot camp are not guaranteed to win the competition.”
PEPPS has been mounting male pageants for a decade already, and the Misters of Filipinas competition has produced the Philippines’ first winners from different international contests—2014 Mister International Neil Perez, 2016 Man of the Year Karan Singhdole, 2018 Mister Tourism Universe Ion Perez, 2018 Mister Model Universe Carlo Pasion, 2019 Mister Tourism and Culture Universe Yves Campos, reigning Runway Model Universe Junichi Yabushita and reigning Man Hot Star International Jovy Bequillo.
The organization is banking on this success to assert its reputation as a credible and efficient mentor for male pageant contestants, and for the academy’s participants to trust that they will receive only the best training in various disciplines that will equip them with what it takes to prosper in pageantry. This is the first time that the Misters of Filipinas pageant has established an Academy for aspiring candidates. /ra
