Saturday, December 8, 2007

The Fifth Annual GINOONG PILIPINAS USA 2008 goes to MANHATTAN

MARC GUECO, Ginoong Pilipinas USA 2008 (Pageant Program Photo)




MARC GUECO, Ginoong Pilipinas USA 2008

Event host, KRISTINE JOHNSON (CBS 2 News)

Guest Performer, ALI EWOLDT (Cosette, Les Miserables Broadway Revival)
The Fifth Annual Ginoong Pilipinas USA pageant and fundraiser was held last night, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on 556 Fifth Avenue between 45th and 46th Streets in Manhattan. Previous pageants were held in California. Last night's event was more than a celebration of the Philippine culture and Filipino men in America. Ginoong Pilipinas USA is a service-based organization known for its humanitarian efforts. This year, the organization will donate the event’s proceeds to the widlfire victims of California through the Southern California Wildfire Relief Efforts of the American Red Cross. Two months ago, wildfires threatened thousands of Southern California homes, destroying structures and forcing thousands to evacuate. The lovely CBS 2 News anchor Kristine Johnson hosted the program. Broadway star Ali Ewoldt, who played “Cosette” in the Broadway revival of Les Miserables was the evening's delightful guest performer. During the program, Johnson and Ewoldt who are both half-Filipino, indicated their interest in reconnecting with their roots.
MARC GUECO, the tall and handsome 27 year-old model from Los Angeles emerged as the winner besting other finalists that included Francis Aquino (Hollywood), Paul Askedall (New York), Ryan Enriquez (New Jersey), Bernabe Fernandez (San Diego), Brian Fernando (San Francisco), Marlon Flores (New York), Amando Ibanez (San Francisco), Kapono Kobylanski (Honolulu), Moses Mata (Washington, DC), Jason Regis (Florida), John Sandiego (Connecticut), John San Juan (New York), Michael Turner (New York) and Roger Wingfield (Michigan). Mr. Gueco, who believes that respecting others marks a Filipino gentleman, received $1,000 cash, in addition to the trophy and sash and the honor to represent the country to the annual Mr. International event in Asia. Previous winners have participated in international competitions and earned accolades. Ginoong Pilipinas-USA 2006 winner CHRIS FRIEL bested 30 other Asian-Americans in the Mr. Asia-USA 2007 pageant.

9 comments:

reyna elena said...

hey! i was there that night! it was really nice! i had a great time with my friends hehehe! i hope you won't mind me copying some of the pics you posted.

www.reynaelena.com

Anonymous said...

A tiny portion of the show was shown on the CBS 11 news and Cris Wragge and Lonnie Quinn teased Kristine Johnson about the bathing suit competition (thankfully not included in the footage shown) and Kristine was so game- she was laughing and laughing through it all. She was so adorable! I wonder if she knew what she was getting into when she accepted to host the event? (He he He). Anyway, what is your take on Kristine Johnson up close? Okey ba talaga siya? I simply loveeee her.

Anonymous said...

A tiny portion of the show was shown on the CBS 11 news and Cris Wragge and Lonnie Quinn teased Kristine Johnson about the bathing suit competition (thankfully not included in the footage shown) and Kristine was so game- she was laughing and laughing through it all. She was so adorable! I wonder if she knew what she was getting into when she accepted to host the event? (He he He). Anyway, what is your take on Kristine Johnson up close? Okey ba talaga siya? I simply loveeee her.

Anonymous said...

A tiny portion of the show was shown on the CBS 11 news and Cris Wragge and Lonnie Quinn teased Kristine Johnson about the bathing suit competition (thankfully not included in the footage shown) and Kristine was so game- she was laughing and laughing through it all. She was so adorable! I wonder if she knew what she was getting into when she accepted to host the event? (He he He). Anyway, what is your take on Kristine Johnson up close? Okey ba talaga siya? I simply loveeee her.

Noel Y. C. said...

Ryenz: I'm sure you had a great time. I don't mind if you use my pics on your site, but a simple acknowledgment would be appreciated. I'm sorry that the quality of my photos are not good.

Amel: Kristine Johnson is just so gorgeous and I'm glad she hosted the hastily organized runway show. She and Ali Ewoldt made the show more enjoyable. Both of them talked a little bit about their interest in reconnecting wiht their Filipino roots.

Anonymous said...

Noel, sorry ha at na-triple ang post ko - I thought there was something wrong with my computer when you have to approved the comment pala before publishing it. Anyway, thanks for the info. And perhaps, you have more pictures of Kristine to share?

Noel Y. C. said...

Amel: I don't have any more pics of Kristine, but you can check out reynz website (see reynz' comment above). I think he has another photo of Kristine. I was seated far from the stage so I didn't take many pictures of her. Thanks for dropping by.

Ryan Enriquez said...

great post.. i googled searched my name, what a great time I had.

ryan

Ryan Enriquez said...

Glad to be part of this event