The pillars of the Philippine pageant industry were awarded during the First Philippine Pageant Ball.
The awardees were cited for their respective contributions in making the Philippines the pageant powerhouse that it is today.
The list included Madam Stella Marquez Araneta (Bb Pilipinas Charities Inc), Lorraine Schuck (Carousel Productions), Ovette Ricalde (Megastar Productions), Carlo Morris Galang (Misters of Filipinas), Wilbert Tolentino (Mr Gay World Philippines), Renee Salud (original beauty queen maker and fashion designer), and Missosology’s very own Pawee Ventura.
Also cited were Edwin Uy (fashion designer), Rodgil Flores (Kagandahang Flores), Jonas Antonio Gaffud (Aces & Queens), John Dela Vega (House of JDV) and Tony Paat (ultimate pageant fan and clippings collector).
Newly crowned Mr Gay World 2017 John Raspado and Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong were named Philippine Pageant Ball King and Queen.
The event, held May 13 at One Esplanade in Pasay City, is the first of its kind in the country where pageant luminaries came together to celebrate the achievements of the Philippines.
“This is one night where we can forget pageant rivalries – not that there’s any – and just unite under one banner – team Philippines,” said Galang, president of Prime Events Productions Philippines Foundation Inc, the producer of the pageant ball.
The Pageant Icon Awardees
Madam Stella Marquez Araneta
“Even though she is from Colombia, Mrs Araneta’s Bb Pilipinas revolutionized pageants in the Philippines and even introduced the concept of multiple winners in one pageant night”.
Lorraine Schuck
“Under her leadership, Miss Philippines Earth and Miss Earth have stayed true to being the most socially relevant pageant in the country and the world.”
Ovette Ricalde
“It was through his platform that married women were given the opportunity to represent the country globally.”
Carlo Morris Galang
“He was able to change the game in male pageants – to not rely just on physique alone, but on the capability of a candidate to represent the Philippines globally.”
Wilbert Tolentino
“With Mr Gay World Philippines, his organization is reaching out to gay men for them to use their voice in the many advocacies of the LGBTQI community.”
Renee Salud
“One of the original beauty queen makers… Renee Salud has shown that through time, her relevance to society and pageantry has become stronger – through hard work in other pageants and promoting Filipino fashion.”
Pawee Ventura
“Pawee heads Missosology, the biggest and most influential pageant site and forum in the world. What started out as a humble forum in the early 2000s called Pawee’s Beauties Kiss and Tell, its transition to Missosology paved the way to a bigger global reach – even giving birth to other microsites in different countries.”
Edwin Uy
“His golden hands in creating fabulous national costumes has given him accolades as a designer with his creations winning Best in National Costume in both male and female national and international pageants.”
Rodin Gilbert Flores
“The head of Kagandahang Flores, the beauty camp that has produced many queens – from national winners to international queens (Precious Lara Quigaman, Karla Henry, Bea Rose Santiago, Jamie Herrell and Angelia Ong).”
Jonas Antonio Gaffud
“The head of Aces & Queens, Jonas was mentor to other iconic wwinners such as Megan Young, Pia Wurtzbach and Kylie Verzosa.”
John Dela Vega
“JDV has been honing girls for various pageants and has produced notable queens including Jeslyn Santos (Miss United Continents 2016).”
Tony Paat
“Dubbed as the ultimate pageant fan, he has decades worth of clippings and pageant memorabilia.” Text and Photos by Drew Francisco/Missosology.Org
