Moises Lim Yuen, Marie Que proclaimed 2018 Mr. & Miss Chinatown

Moises Lim Yuen (right) and Marie Que are the new Mister and Miss Chinatown/ARMIN P. ADINA

Moises Lim Yuen and Marie Que were proclaimed winners in the 2018 Mister and Miss Chinatown Philippines pageant, staged at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.

The two will serve as ambassadors to promote the culture, heritage, and tradition of the Filipino-Chinese community, and highlight this year’s competition theme “Beauty in DiverCHIty” by showcasing what the modern Filipino-Chinese youth can offer to society.

Que will also represent the Philippines in the 2019 Miss Chinese International pageant, which celebrates the unity of all the Chinese communities of the world.

“It was a leap of faith to actually hold it at the Mall of Asia Arena. The challenge of bringing it to a bigger venue means putting more pressure on the quality of the contestants, the activities and the coronation night,” pageant director Mikko Araneta told the Inquirer.

Araneta explained: “Mister and Miss Chinatown, over the years, has remained faithful in bringing out the best in the Filipino-Chinese youth. It has been spearheading activities and events that uphold Chinese language, traditions and culture. However, over time, it has acquired more attention from the community because of how the candidates have been carrying themselves.”

He continued: “These strong points are the reason why it has been regarded as one of the most prestigious titles in the country. In the past few years, we have been strongly advocating the birth of the modern Filipino-Chinese—receptive to change, breaks stereotypes, while being true to the core.”

This year’s winners each received P200,000 and other prizes from the pageant’s donors and sponsors.

The pageant’s alumni include 2016 Miss Grand International first runner-up Nicole Cordoves, who is also a resident judge for “Miss Q&A” on “It’s Showtime;” and Kapuso hunk David Licauco.

From left: Second runners-up Carly Chua and Brian Gocheco, Miss Chinatown Marie Que, Mister Chinatown Moises Lim Yuen, and first runners-up Sabrina Ng and Martin Chua/ARMIN P. ADINA

Last year’s female winner, Joy Wu, said “it changed all the plans I had for the future in the best way. From a mass communication student of the Ateneo de Davao University to a beauty queen who represented the Philippines in the Miss Chinese International pageant, it was something I never expected to be.”

She was the first winner from the Filipino-Chinese community in Davao City. Last year’s edition was the first to accept aspirants from outside Metro Manila.

Last year’s Mister Chinatown, former United States Army soldier Jacob Muñez, said the contest “has proven to me that I am capable of challenging myself and accomplishing new goals. Being Mister Chinatown has allowed me to reach more people and inspire them to go for their dreams.”

Completing the winners’ circle this year are first runners-up Martin Chua and Sabrina Ng and second runners-up Brian Gocheco and Carly Chua.

The 2018 Mister and Miss Chinatown competition will have a delayed telecast on ABS-CBN on Sept. 9, on the “Sunday’s Best” bloc, after “Gandang Gabi Vice.”

It is presented by “Chinoy TV,” the Miss Chinatown Foundation, together with Tak Chun Group, and co-presented by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.