Saturday, May 8, 2010
God please give us the president who will lead this nation to greatness
may 8, 2010. after tomorrow we decide the future of our nation. we may have differing votes but it all boils down to one thing - each of us wants what's best for our country. some say noynoy is the most fit to be president because he is morally upright, others say it's villar because he is a good businessman and, thus, can run the country well, still some say gibo should be it because he has no record of corruption, and many say it's erap because he is pro-masa. but only GOD knows what's really in their hearts. so i pray to HIM that may the one who has the sincerest good intentions for the philippines and the filipino people win. i remember an american colleague (when i was still working in riyadh) ask, the philippines is such a beautiful country and the filipinos are a wonderful people, but why is your country so fucked up? may GOD give us the leader who will start turning things around. the philippines deserves to regain its rightful place in the international community and i trust that GOD will give it back to us by making the right man win on monday. it's now or never. GOD help us!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Overseas Absentee Voting starts... happy & proud to have been part of the advocacy for its implementation
The Overseas Absentee Voting and the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Acts of 2003
Today, April 10, 2010, overseas absentee voting started. 589,830 Filipinos abroad are qualified to exercise their right to vote in the 2010 general elections.
It was during the 2004 national elections that overseas Filipinos were able to vote for the very first time. Thanks to the efforts of overseas Filipino organizations and home-based NGOs as well as individuals who campaigned without let-up for the passage into law of the Absentee Voting Bill.
Very little, or none at all, is known of the fact that it was probably The Philippines to the World Entertainment Foundation, Inc. (PWEFI), which I founded, that started the ball rolling when as early as July 2000 it launched a signature drive to urge our lawmakers to act on the Absentee Voting Bill and Dual Citizenship Bill. As early as 1998 this writer had already written then-President Fidel Ramos about the absentee voting bill.
Although calls by different groups and individuals for the passage into law of both bills have already been made since the mid-90s, no sincere effort seemed to have been initiated. It could be said, therefore, that the PWEFI initiative was the first one.
The PWEFI signature campaign – which was started in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - immediately drew support from kababayans and initially collected 700 signatures. However, it lost momentum and was eventually sidelined when then-President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment proceedings hugged the headlines. Nevertheless, the 700 signatures were submitted to the Senate. 2001 saw the resurgence of a similar but more vigorous campaign, this time under the initiative of other Filipino organizations overseas and at home. Foremost among these groups was the OFWNet Foundation which lobbied unrelentlessly, and individuals - like Ellene Sana, Noel Escuela, Cathy Ledesma, Dr. Chee Garcia, Bert Barriga and Marvin Bionat, to name a few – who lobbied tirelessly for the campaign until the bill’s eventual passage into law on February 13, 2003 as Republic Act 9189 known as the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003. The Dual Citizenship Bill, on the other hand, was passed into law on August 29, 2003 as Republic Act 9225, known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.
This writer is quite proud of having been part of the initiative that eventually enabled overseas Filipinos to have a say on who should lead our country.
Read the Philippine Star article about the start of absentee voting for the 2010 elections: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=565099&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Monday, April 5, 2010
AFTERTHOUGHTS ON THE 2010 MR. WORLD PHILIPPINES (and Bb. Pilipinas)
I actually wrote this right after the Mr. World Philippines competition on February 27, but I never got around to posting it in my multiply and facebook accounts and here in my blogsite. Not until now when the controversy on 2010 Bb. Pilipinas Universe Venus Raj’s dethronement came to the fore. I guess this is a most opportune time to finally post this. Venus’ dethronement brought to light what seems like irregularities within Bb. Pilipinas and Mr. World Philippines.
I used to be a big pageant fan. In fact, I have these albums of different pageants (Bb. Pilipinas, Miss Universe, Mutya ng Pilipinas, Miss International, etc.) from 1972 to the early 90s when my interest somewhat waned. The Bb. Pilipinas and Miss Universe pageants were something I looked forward to every year. I even watched Miss Universe live at the PICC when it was held here in 1994 (I bought a 2nd-row-seat ticket). Now if that doesn’t prove how much of a pageant fan I am, I don’t know what will.
I have always held Bb. Pilipinas in high esteem and considered it the mother of all local pageants. However, with the dethronement of Anjanette Abayari in 1991, Tisha Silang in 1998 and Janelle Bautista in 1999 I came to realize that there must be something wrong with how the organizer, Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), is running the pageant. The latest controversy involving Venus’ dethronement has further contributed to my suspicion and to the disappointment of hardcore pageant followers. If Facebook messages expressing great disappointment, frustration and anger are anything to go by, then pageant fans seem to have had enough with BPCI. Personally, what seemed to me like irregularities in the recent Mr. World Philippines (MWP) competition only bolstered my mistrust on BPCI.
As a talent agent I look up to the Mr. World Philippines contest as the most prestigious and respectable male pageant in the country and I have always wanted to enter a talent in the contest, which I did in its 2010 edition. I made sure that the talent I was to enter in the competition not only had above-average looks and proportionate physique but also possessed a nice personality and a reasonable degree of intelligence. Since I am aware of BPCI’s aversion towards potential candidates who have less-than-wholesome image, I also made sure that the talent I would enter had unsullied background. And so I entered one who fit the bill, someone that I believed was at par with their supposedly high and clean standard.
Sadly, the Mr. World Philippines 2010 competition was a big frustration, to say the least, in terms of how the pageant was organized, among many other things.
First, there wasn’t much publicity about it. Thus, the lack of interest among agents, potential candidates and male pageant enthusiasts. Methinks it didn’t generate interest because, like I said, it was not promoted well. Secondly, agents were wary to send their talents because of BPCI’s reputation for snobbing agents (except for a favored one or two perhaps). Thirdly, talents themselves shy away from this pageant because of BPCI’s self-righteous view that individuals with dubious background (by their own definition) have no place in this supposedly wholesome, clean and morally upright competition. Fourth, the many requirements (birth certificate, diploma, certificate of good moral character, medical certificate, etc.) asked of them at initial screening discouraged many potential applicants.
The posthaste manner by which MWP 2010 was organized and staged was also a great disappointment.
Regarding BPCI’s treatment of talent agents and managers, whereas at the onset the guy-in-charge was nice, asking us to bring in more candidates, later (when the official line-up was completed) he was the exact opposite. We could feel the hostility. Every time we needed to speak with our talents for some tips and advice he would order them to return inside at once.
The final screening process which took place at the Gateway Suites on February 16 went smoothly. We were told that out of the 30+ applicants 20 official candidates would be announced immediately after the final screening. Honestly, having seen the line-up of applicants I didn’t think they would be able to come up with twenty or even ten. After waiting several minutes we were told that no results would be announced that night and that the final tally sheet would have to be brought to Madame Stella Araneta. That drew suspicion.
One of my two talents luckily made it as one of the seventeen official candidates. Of course we were both ecstatic that he made it. But soon enough I began feeling the opposite.
The night they were asked to sign a contract I instructed my talent to ask for a copy so we can go through it (he had already signed it and as his manager I wanted to see what was in the contract). Knowing how aversed BPCI people are to agents, I told him to tell them that it was his father who wanted to see the contract (which wasn’t necessarily a lie since we really intended to show it to his father). To which the BPCI lawyers said no. Now, it doesn’t take a genius to see a legal flaw here. Anyone who signs a contract has the right to have a copy. And I, being the talent manager, and for that matter, his father, had every right to review it. So why wouldn’t they give a copy? Beats me.
Because of that, which I thought was a big irregularity, I wanted to pull my talent out of the contest. But since he had already exerted effort attending the workshops and other activities, I decided against it.
Anyway, sad that I was when my talent failed to even make the final five, a part of me was also rejoicing. At least I didn’t get to lose the right (because of certain stipulations in the BPCI contract) to give projects to the talent that I myself discovered, groomed and honed and manage.
At this point I would like to enumerate some general observations about the pageant. I hope the organization and people concerned would have the humility to accept these as constructive criticisms and, hopefully, avoid making these mistakes in the next Mr. World Philippines or even in Bb. Pilipinas for that matter:
As I intimated earlier, BPCI is not agents-friendly. For them the role of agents begins with bringing their talents to apply, and ends there. They don’t want agents to have anything to do with their talents especially when the latter make it as official candidates. Obviously, the BPCI people don’t know anything about dealing with and treating talent agents. They don’t know or downright refuse to accept the fact that agents generally have to be there – maybe not at all times but from time to time – to check on their talents and see to it that they have everything they need and that nothing untoward is happening to them. BPCI should learn how to develop goodwill with talent agents. These agents are a big help. If treated well and fairly, they could bring in the best discoveries around. Properly motivated they would search in every nook and cranny, so to speak, in search of “hidden gems.” This is where Bb. Pilipinas is beaten by Mutya ng Pilipinas (and in a sense also by Miss Earth Philippines) which treats agents and designers justly and in return generate a lot of goodwill.
In toto, the competition was very poorly organized. The haste in producing a winner because of the purported pressure from Miss World Organization (MWO) President Julia Morley to come up with a Philippine representative in time for the March 27 finals in Korea should have never be an excuse for a line-up of candidates where only barely half deserved to be there. What the organizers should have done was an all-out promotion of the screening of potential candidates. The main problem was their lack of goodwill among talent agents and managers who, as I’ve said earlier, shy away from BPCI. They could have also done away with some of the activities (like playing basketball with less fortunate youth just to show some socio-civic relevance or the games at the La Mesa Eco Park just to show some sports-related activities in the AVP during Finals Night). They could have devoted more time looking for quality candidates. They could have also put a little more class by holding the finals in, say, the Gateway Atrium and not on a very-late night show that is kitschy at best.
As to the judging procedure, if I remember right the criteria were 50% (beauty of) face, 30% physique, 10% personality and 10% intelligence. So if comeliness of face accounted for 50%, how come… oh well, forget it. And how did the judges score them on personality and intelligence when the twelve candidates weren’t even interviewed, not on finals night nor in any pre-finals activity?
SELECTIVE DISQUALIFICATION
Regarding the issue on morality, BPCI is so hung up on it, a false sense of morality anyway. Their holier than thou attitude is a total turn-off. A day before the finals five candidates were disqualified on grounds that they have previously joined or won less prestigious male pageants or bikini contests with dubious reputation. It’s funny because while they were disqualified for that reason, at least two others escaped BPCI’s prying eyes. One is the lead star of a gay indie film several photos from which were posted in an unabashedly gay website. The photos showed the contestant in very compromising acts like having another guy (they’re both nude) sitting on him, another photo showed him semi-nude with some pubic hair showing. Now I don’t know about you but that should be more disturbing (to the BPCI people that is) than a bikini contestant romping in skimpy trunks. The other contestant, unknown to BPCI, has several raunchy photos being kept by a photographer. So what gives, really?
I spoke with one of the disqualified candidates - the more intelligent, smart and vocal among them. According to him on the eve of Finals Night while they were rehearsing at GMA 7, the five of them were asked to return to the BPCI office at Araneta Coliseum where they were told that upon checking they found out that the five of them had joined “other” male pageants before. By “other” they meant bikini contests with not-so-wholesome reputation. He argued that every contest they have participated in was enumerated in the application form, so why were they accepted in the first place if BPCI thought those contests were of the dubious kind? Why were they being disqualified on the eve of the competition’s finals? Why only then after taking a leave from work (at least for him) and losing several days’ worth of salary just to be able to attend all the activities? Why only then after exerting effort and spending for transportation?
Probably sensing trouble and realizing that they were up against someone who knew his rights and would fight for them, they asked the five candidates to leave. They were then advised by someone to go to ABS CBN to air their grievances, which they did. They were interviewed by reporters but the News Department couldn’t air it without getting the side of BPCI. Upon learning about this, BPCI ordered them to return to the Araneta office so that matters could be straightened out. Upon returning there, however, they were driven out of the compound. I understand their names have also been posted at the entrance banning them from entering the BPCI premises.
I heard that on the day of the finals one of the disqualified candidates went to GMA 7 to watch the taping but he was prevented by security from entering the studio. Again, I don’t know about you but isn’t a court order necessary for implementing such ban? Talk about one’s rights being infringed upon.
It will be recalled that in last year’s Bb. Pilipinas finals at Araneta Coliseum, BPCI staff tried very hard to prevent Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1982 Maria Isabel Lopez from attending. This despite the fact that Lopez has been diligently attending the event since 2003 as one of the past winners. Lopez insisted on her right to be there so, the BPCI staff’s unrelenting determination to “drive her out” of Araneta Coliseum notwithstanding, she finished the showed. Read Lopez’ complete account of the incident at http://telebisyon.net/balita/Exbeauty-queen-Isabel-Lopez-airs-side-on-Bb-Pilipinas-snub/source/56032/
Like the disqualification of the five Mr. World Philippines candidates on grounds of having joined other pageants that BPCI found too sexy for (their) comfort while, at the same time, overlooking – deliberately or otherwise – another candidate’s more morally unacceptable background and Lopez’ virtual ban from attending the Bb. Pilipinas finals while Bb. Pilipinas World 2005 Carlene Aguilar who bore a child out of wedlock is allowed in is really something that makes one wonder. How does BPCI gauge a candidate’s morality or lack of it? Do they have a set of standard for some and a different one for others?
QUO VADIS BPCI?
It would do BPCI well if they clean their act in as far as Bb. Pilipinas is concerned. As to Mr. World Philippines, they should ensure that this ugly chapter in the short history of MWP will not be repeated. Otherwise, BPCI will continue losing its credibility. The dethronement of Venus Raj is another blow to their supposedly impeccable reputation. In fact, it might even spell their doom as pageant fans are really going up in arms against them, so to speak, as seen in facebook messages. They are appalled by BPCI’s brazen disregard for the simplest rules of courtesy like doing a very thorough background check on the candidates so that grounds of disqualification are determined even before they start participating in the pageant activities or that dethronements don’t have to happen.
Venus’ interview in The Buzz proved once and for all that there is definitely something wrong with BPCI. Venus emphasized that they knew all along – right from the start, during the screening of potential candidates – that she was born in Qatar. So if they did, and they also had a copy of Venus’ birth certificate the data in which contradicted with Venus’ pronouncements, then why didn’t they question it before accepting Venus as an official candidate? Why expose it after she has been crowned?
Either BPCI is that stupid not to see something which was right there staring at their faces, or they deliberately ignored possible grounds for disqualification which they later revealed if the candidate in question won and she wasn’t exactly to their liking. Maybe, just maybe.
One question that has been lingering on in the minds of pageant fans – is it really Madame Stella Marquez Araneta who has the final say on everything in Bb. Pilipinas (and Mr. World Philippines)? Are the judges there just for the sake of having them? In other words, are they just used as some sort of a front?
Also, isn’t it an affront to Filipinos that the one who chooses the Philippine representatives to pageants abroad is not Filipino but Colombian? Isn’t it an insult to Filipino designers that the evening gowns and even national costumes that Philippine representatives to Miss Universe wear are creations of a Colombian designer? The Philippines is not wanting in world-class fashion designers and I personally don’t see the need to utilize the services of foreign designers, especially when designing our national costume in concerned. As an advocate of anything and everything that has to do with Filipino dignity, pride and honor, I am appalled by this blatant disregard for the creative talent of Filipino designers.
In conclusion, I hope no one among the five young men will think of making a political issue out of this. The Aranetas, after all, are related to the Roxases, as in Mar Roxas. Come to think of it, Mr. Palengke is doing his best to endear himself to the masses and that seemingly trivial MWP incident involving five ordinary young Filipino men being treated unjustly by an organization owned by his mother’s relatives does not bode well for a possible Mar Roxas vice presidency. The small incident could actually be blown out of proportion.
I used to be a big pageant fan. In fact, I have these albums of different pageants (Bb. Pilipinas, Miss Universe, Mutya ng Pilipinas, Miss International, etc.) from 1972 to the early 90s when my interest somewhat waned. The Bb. Pilipinas and Miss Universe pageants were something I looked forward to every year. I even watched Miss Universe live at the PICC when it was held here in 1994 (I bought a 2nd-row-seat ticket). Now if that doesn’t prove how much of a pageant fan I am, I don’t know what will.
I have always held Bb. Pilipinas in high esteem and considered it the mother of all local pageants. However, with the dethronement of Anjanette Abayari in 1991, Tisha Silang in 1998 and Janelle Bautista in 1999 I came to realize that there must be something wrong with how the organizer, Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), is running the pageant. The latest controversy involving Venus’ dethronement has further contributed to my suspicion and to the disappointment of hardcore pageant followers. If Facebook messages expressing great disappointment, frustration and anger are anything to go by, then pageant fans seem to have had enough with BPCI. Personally, what seemed to me like irregularities in the recent Mr. World Philippines (MWP) competition only bolstered my mistrust on BPCI.
As a talent agent I look up to the Mr. World Philippines contest as the most prestigious and respectable male pageant in the country and I have always wanted to enter a talent in the contest, which I did in its 2010 edition. I made sure that the talent I was to enter in the competition not only had above-average looks and proportionate physique but also possessed a nice personality and a reasonable degree of intelligence. Since I am aware of BPCI’s aversion towards potential candidates who have less-than-wholesome image, I also made sure that the talent I would enter had unsullied background. And so I entered one who fit the bill, someone that I believed was at par with their supposedly high and clean standard.
Sadly, the Mr. World Philippines 2010 competition was a big frustration, to say the least, in terms of how the pageant was organized, among many other things.
First, there wasn’t much publicity about it. Thus, the lack of interest among agents, potential candidates and male pageant enthusiasts. Methinks it didn’t generate interest because, like I said, it was not promoted well. Secondly, agents were wary to send their talents because of BPCI’s reputation for snobbing agents (except for a favored one or two perhaps). Thirdly, talents themselves shy away from this pageant because of BPCI’s self-righteous view that individuals with dubious background (by their own definition) have no place in this supposedly wholesome, clean and morally upright competition. Fourth, the many requirements (birth certificate, diploma, certificate of good moral character, medical certificate, etc.) asked of them at initial screening discouraged many potential applicants.
The posthaste manner by which MWP 2010 was organized and staged was also a great disappointment.
Regarding BPCI’s treatment of talent agents and managers, whereas at the onset the guy-in-charge was nice, asking us to bring in more candidates, later (when the official line-up was completed) he was the exact opposite. We could feel the hostility. Every time we needed to speak with our talents for some tips and advice he would order them to return inside at once.
The final screening process which took place at the Gateway Suites on February 16 went smoothly. We were told that out of the 30+ applicants 20 official candidates would be announced immediately after the final screening. Honestly, having seen the line-up of applicants I didn’t think they would be able to come up with twenty or even ten. After waiting several minutes we were told that no results would be announced that night and that the final tally sheet would have to be brought to Madame Stella Araneta. That drew suspicion.
One of my two talents luckily made it as one of the seventeen official candidates. Of course we were both ecstatic that he made it. But soon enough I began feeling the opposite.
The night they were asked to sign a contract I instructed my talent to ask for a copy so we can go through it (he had already signed it and as his manager I wanted to see what was in the contract). Knowing how aversed BPCI people are to agents, I told him to tell them that it was his father who wanted to see the contract (which wasn’t necessarily a lie since we really intended to show it to his father). To which the BPCI lawyers said no. Now, it doesn’t take a genius to see a legal flaw here. Anyone who signs a contract has the right to have a copy. And I, being the talent manager, and for that matter, his father, had every right to review it. So why wouldn’t they give a copy? Beats me.
Because of that, which I thought was a big irregularity, I wanted to pull my talent out of the contest. But since he had already exerted effort attending the workshops and other activities, I decided against it.
Anyway, sad that I was when my talent failed to even make the final five, a part of me was also rejoicing. At least I didn’t get to lose the right (because of certain stipulations in the BPCI contract) to give projects to the talent that I myself discovered, groomed and honed and manage.
At this point I would like to enumerate some general observations about the pageant. I hope the organization and people concerned would have the humility to accept these as constructive criticisms and, hopefully, avoid making these mistakes in the next Mr. World Philippines or even in Bb. Pilipinas for that matter:
As I intimated earlier, BPCI is not agents-friendly. For them the role of agents begins with bringing their talents to apply, and ends there. They don’t want agents to have anything to do with their talents especially when the latter make it as official candidates. Obviously, the BPCI people don’t know anything about dealing with and treating talent agents. They don’t know or downright refuse to accept the fact that agents generally have to be there – maybe not at all times but from time to time – to check on their talents and see to it that they have everything they need and that nothing untoward is happening to them. BPCI should learn how to develop goodwill with talent agents. These agents are a big help. If treated well and fairly, they could bring in the best discoveries around. Properly motivated they would search in every nook and cranny, so to speak, in search of “hidden gems.” This is where Bb. Pilipinas is beaten by Mutya ng Pilipinas (and in a sense also by Miss Earth Philippines) which treats agents and designers justly and in return generate a lot of goodwill.
In toto, the competition was very poorly organized. The haste in producing a winner because of the purported pressure from Miss World Organization (MWO) President Julia Morley to come up with a Philippine representative in time for the March 27 finals in Korea should have never be an excuse for a line-up of candidates where only barely half deserved to be there. What the organizers should have done was an all-out promotion of the screening of potential candidates. The main problem was their lack of goodwill among talent agents and managers who, as I’ve said earlier, shy away from BPCI. They could have also done away with some of the activities (like playing basketball with less fortunate youth just to show some socio-civic relevance or the games at the La Mesa Eco Park just to show some sports-related activities in the AVP during Finals Night). They could have devoted more time looking for quality candidates. They could have also put a little more class by holding the finals in, say, the Gateway Atrium and not on a very-late night show that is kitschy at best.
As to the judging procedure, if I remember right the criteria were 50% (beauty of) face, 30% physique, 10% personality and 10% intelligence. So if comeliness of face accounted for 50%, how come… oh well, forget it. And how did the judges score them on personality and intelligence when the twelve candidates weren’t even interviewed, not on finals night nor in any pre-finals activity?
SELECTIVE DISQUALIFICATION
Regarding the issue on morality, BPCI is so hung up on it, a false sense of morality anyway. Their holier than thou attitude is a total turn-off. A day before the finals five candidates were disqualified on grounds that they have previously joined or won less prestigious male pageants or bikini contests with dubious reputation. It’s funny because while they were disqualified for that reason, at least two others escaped BPCI’s prying eyes. One is the lead star of a gay indie film several photos from which were posted in an unabashedly gay website. The photos showed the contestant in very compromising acts like having another guy (they’re both nude) sitting on him, another photo showed him semi-nude with some pubic hair showing. Now I don’t know about you but that should be more disturbing (to the BPCI people that is) than a bikini contestant romping in skimpy trunks. The other contestant, unknown to BPCI, has several raunchy photos being kept by a photographer. So what gives, really?
I spoke with one of the disqualified candidates - the more intelligent, smart and vocal among them. According to him on the eve of Finals Night while they were rehearsing at GMA 7, the five of them were asked to return to the BPCI office at Araneta Coliseum where they were told that upon checking they found out that the five of them had joined “other” male pageants before. By “other” they meant bikini contests with not-so-wholesome reputation. He argued that every contest they have participated in was enumerated in the application form, so why were they accepted in the first place if BPCI thought those contests were of the dubious kind? Why were they being disqualified on the eve of the competition’s finals? Why only then after taking a leave from work (at least for him) and losing several days’ worth of salary just to be able to attend all the activities? Why only then after exerting effort and spending for transportation?
Probably sensing trouble and realizing that they were up against someone who knew his rights and would fight for them, they asked the five candidates to leave. They were then advised by someone to go to ABS CBN to air their grievances, which they did. They were interviewed by reporters but the News Department couldn’t air it without getting the side of BPCI. Upon learning about this, BPCI ordered them to return to the Araneta office so that matters could be straightened out. Upon returning there, however, they were driven out of the compound. I understand their names have also been posted at the entrance banning them from entering the BPCI premises.
I heard that on the day of the finals one of the disqualified candidates went to GMA 7 to watch the taping but he was prevented by security from entering the studio. Again, I don’t know about you but isn’t a court order necessary for implementing such ban? Talk about one’s rights being infringed upon.
It will be recalled that in last year’s Bb. Pilipinas finals at Araneta Coliseum, BPCI staff tried very hard to prevent Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1982 Maria Isabel Lopez from attending. This despite the fact that Lopez has been diligently attending the event since 2003 as one of the past winners. Lopez insisted on her right to be there so, the BPCI staff’s unrelenting determination to “drive her out” of Araneta Coliseum notwithstanding, she finished the showed. Read Lopez’ complete account of the incident at http://telebisyon.net/balita/Exbeauty-queen-Isabel-Lopez-airs-side-on-Bb-Pilipinas-snub/source/56032/
Like the disqualification of the five Mr. World Philippines candidates on grounds of having joined other pageants that BPCI found too sexy for (their) comfort while, at the same time, overlooking – deliberately or otherwise – another candidate’s more morally unacceptable background and Lopez’ virtual ban from attending the Bb. Pilipinas finals while Bb. Pilipinas World 2005 Carlene Aguilar who bore a child out of wedlock is allowed in is really something that makes one wonder. How does BPCI gauge a candidate’s morality or lack of it? Do they have a set of standard for some and a different one for others?
QUO VADIS BPCI?
It would do BPCI well if they clean their act in as far as Bb. Pilipinas is concerned. As to Mr. World Philippines, they should ensure that this ugly chapter in the short history of MWP will not be repeated. Otherwise, BPCI will continue losing its credibility. The dethronement of Venus Raj is another blow to their supposedly impeccable reputation. In fact, it might even spell their doom as pageant fans are really going up in arms against them, so to speak, as seen in facebook messages. They are appalled by BPCI’s brazen disregard for the simplest rules of courtesy like doing a very thorough background check on the candidates so that grounds of disqualification are determined even before they start participating in the pageant activities or that dethronements don’t have to happen.
Venus’ interview in The Buzz proved once and for all that there is definitely something wrong with BPCI. Venus emphasized that they knew all along – right from the start, during the screening of potential candidates – that she was born in Qatar. So if they did, and they also had a copy of Venus’ birth certificate the data in which contradicted with Venus’ pronouncements, then why didn’t they question it before accepting Venus as an official candidate? Why expose it after she has been crowned?
Either BPCI is that stupid not to see something which was right there staring at their faces, or they deliberately ignored possible grounds for disqualification which they later revealed if the candidate in question won and she wasn’t exactly to their liking. Maybe, just maybe.
One question that has been lingering on in the minds of pageant fans – is it really Madame Stella Marquez Araneta who has the final say on everything in Bb. Pilipinas (and Mr. World Philippines)? Are the judges there just for the sake of having them? In other words, are they just used as some sort of a front?
Also, isn’t it an affront to Filipinos that the one who chooses the Philippine representatives to pageants abroad is not Filipino but Colombian? Isn’t it an insult to Filipino designers that the evening gowns and even national costumes that Philippine representatives to Miss Universe wear are creations of a Colombian designer? The Philippines is not wanting in world-class fashion designers and I personally don’t see the need to utilize the services of foreign designers, especially when designing our national costume in concerned. As an advocate of anything and everything that has to do with Filipino dignity, pride and honor, I am appalled by this blatant disregard for the creative talent of Filipino designers.
In conclusion, I hope no one among the five young men will think of making a political issue out of this. The Aranetas, after all, are related to the Roxases, as in Mar Roxas. Come to think of it, Mr. Palengke is doing his best to endear himself to the masses and that seemingly trivial MWP incident involving five ordinary young Filipino men being treated unjustly by an organization owned by his mother’s relatives does not bode well for a possible Mar Roxas vice presidency. The small incident could actually be blown out of proportion.
2010 as Year of the Thomasian: In the face of inaction from Malacanang, let's declare it ourselves
2010 AS YEAR OF THE THOMASIAN:
IN THE FACE OF INACTION FROM MALACANANG, LET’S DECLARE IT OURSELVES
AND THE NEED TO MAKE NOISE ABOUT UST’S QUADRICENTENNIAL
When the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) launched its historical scriptwriting contest recently in line with the year 2011 being a marker for several important events in Philippine history, it mentioned our national hero’s 150th birthday, the country’s 65th year of independence from America and the People Power Revolution’s 25th anniversary. Quite surprisingly it failed to mention the Quadricentennial of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) which, I personally believe, is the most important of those anniversaries.
I do not understand why such event of great historical significance could be overlooked by the FDCP. On second thought, however, perhaps it’s not their fault. Perhaps we – the Thomasian community – is not doing enough to let the entire Filipino nationhood know that our beloved alma mater is celebrating its 400th year, something that Filipinos of today – Thomasians or not – should be happy about and grateful for if only for the fact that it is happening during our lifetime. It’s like being alive during and being able to witness the apparition of the infamous Halley’s Comet which appears only every 75-76 years, the last of which was in February 1986 (the next one will be in July 2061).
If we are really proud of being UST alumni as we say we are, then we should do our share in promoting the 2011 event in whatever little way we can. I’m sure UST’s Quadricentennial Committee is doing its best to ensure the grandest Thomasian celebration ever, but we Thomasians in “the world out here” cannot, should not, just sit idly doing nothing.
I – a product of the university’s then-College of Architecture & Fine Arts (Fine Arts – Advertising batch ‘81) – have initiated middle of last year a move to have 2010 declared as “Year of the Thomasian”. Unfortunately, my letter to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (whose father, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, is one of UST’s most illustrious alumni) has not produced any result except endorsement to Malacanang’s Legislative Office. Follow-ups also proved futile.
The proposed declaration was inspired by a similar move in 1999 to have 2000 declared as “The Year of OFWs” which I likewise initiated (It was eventually realized through Presidential Proclamation No. 243). This time, with Malacanang’s inaction despite the worthiness of the proposal, perhaps it’s up to us to do the declaration ourselves.
Yes, I propose that we, present-day Thomasians, do a symbolic declaration making 2010 “Year of the Thomasian”. No, it’s not a bid for self-aggrandizement, but our tribute to fellow Thomasians of decades and centuries past – great men and women in various fields of endeavor – who have helped in shaping the future of our country and in enriching its history and culture. I don’t see any legal impediment in such a move so why don’t we do it?
We don’t need to do it in an ostentatious manner. In fact, we can do it in a very simple but nonetheless meaningful and significant way. What I have in mind is a gathering of Thomasians at the UST campus on April 28 (Wednesday), the day Archbishop Miguel de Benavides founded UST in 1611.
We can invite famous Thomasians in showbiz, media, the arts, business, government service, fashion, music, etc. for greater impact and wider media coverage. Wearing golden yellow t-shirts or tiger outfits, let’s sing the UST hymn and shout the “Go USTe” cheer as one. We can do this very early in the morning as the sun rises or if we want a finale of fireworks display we can do it instead towards sunset.
Or maybe there are better ideas out there, let’s hear it. Perhaps we can do an online declaration or something.
And lest we forget, we’re in “The Year of the Tiger” which puts more significance if we are to declare 2010 as “Year of the Thomasian”, we are tigers after all. The symbolic declaration would most definitely be a fitting prelude to next year’s Quadricentennial celebrations, the grandest historical event since 1998’s Philippine Centennial. It would also be the perfect way to start making noise about our alma mater’s 400th birthday.
How about it fellow Tomasinos?!
Rhoel Raymundo Mendoza
UST Fine Arts-Advertising Batch ‘81
Internet sites I’ve created in relation to UST’s Quadricentennial:
www.ust400.blogspot.com
www.uste400.multiply.com
My letter to the editor about the proposed declaration:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100216-253451/Declare_2010_Year_of_the_Thomasian
My alternative proposal as featured in The Varsitarian:
http://www.varsitarian.net/news/special_news/20100326/year_of_ust_tiger_pushed
PASS THIS ON TO ALL FELLOW THOMASIANS YOU KNOW! GO USTE!
IN THE FACE OF INACTION FROM MALACANANG, LET’S DECLARE IT OURSELVES
AND THE NEED TO MAKE NOISE ABOUT UST’S QUADRICENTENNIAL
When the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) launched its historical scriptwriting contest recently in line with the year 2011 being a marker for several important events in Philippine history, it mentioned our national hero’s 150th birthday, the country’s 65th year of independence from America and the People Power Revolution’s 25th anniversary. Quite surprisingly it failed to mention the Quadricentennial of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) which, I personally believe, is the most important of those anniversaries.
I do not understand why such event of great historical significance could be overlooked by the FDCP. On second thought, however, perhaps it’s not their fault. Perhaps we – the Thomasian community – is not doing enough to let the entire Filipino nationhood know that our beloved alma mater is celebrating its 400th year, something that Filipinos of today – Thomasians or not – should be happy about and grateful for if only for the fact that it is happening during our lifetime. It’s like being alive during and being able to witness the apparition of the infamous Halley’s Comet which appears only every 75-76 years, the last of which was in February 1986 (the next one will be in July 2061).
If we are really proud of being UST alumni as we say we are, then we should do our share in promoting the 2011 event in whatever little way we can. I’m sure UST’s Quadricentennial Committee is doing its best to ensure the grandest Thomasian celebration ever, but we Thomasians in “the world out here” cannot, should not, just sit idly doing nothing.
I – a product of the university’s then-College of Architecture & Fine Arts (Fine Arts – Advertising batch ‘81) – have initiated middle of last year a move to have 2010 declared as “Year of the Thomasian”. Unfortunately, my letter to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (whose father, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, is one of UST’s most illustrious alumni) has not produced any result except endorsement to Malacanang’s Legislative Office. Follow-ups also proved futile.
The proposed declaration was inspired by a similar move in 1999 to have 2000 declared as “The Year of OFWs” which I likewise initiated (It was eventually realized through Presidential Proclamation No. 243). This time, with Malacanang’s inaction despite the worthiness of the proposal, perhaps it’s up to us to do the declaration ourselves.
Yes, I propose that we, present-day Thomasians, do a symbolic declaration making 2010 “Year of the Thomasian”. No, it’s not a bid for self-aggrandizement, but our tribute to fellow Thomasians of decades and centuries past – great men and women in various fields of endeavor – who have helped in shaping the future of our country and in enriching its history and culture. I don’t see any legal impediment in such a move so why don’t we do it?
We don’t need to do it in an ostentatious manner. In fact, we can do it in a very simple but nonetheless meaningful and significant way. What I have in mind is a gathering of Thomasians at the UST campus on April 28 (Wednesday), the day Archbishop Miguel de Benavides founded UST in 1611.
We can invite famous Thomasians in showbiz, media, the arts, business, government service, fashion, music, etc. for greater impact and wider media coverage. Wearing golden yellow t-shirts or tiger outfits, let’s sing the UST hymn and shout the “Go USTe” cheer as one. We can do this very early in the morning as the sun rises or if we want a finale of fireworks display we can do it instead towards sunset.
Or maybe there are better ideas out there, let’s hear it. Perhaps we can do an online declaration or something.
And lest we forget, we’re in “The Year of the Tiger” which puts more significance if we are to declare 2010 as “Year of the Thomasian”, we are tigers after all. The symbolic declaration would most definitely be a fitting prelude to next year’s Quadricentennial celebrations, the grandest historical event since 1998’s Philippine Centennial. It would also be the perfect way to start making noise about our alma mater’s 400th birthday.
How about it fellow Tomasinos?!
Rhoel Raymundo Mendoza
UST Fine Arts-Advertising Batch ‘81
Internet sites I’ve created in relation to UST’s Quadricentennial:
www.ust400.blogspot.com
www.uste400.multiply.com
My letter to the editor about the proposed declaration:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100216-253451/Declare_2010_Year_of_the_Thomasian
My alternative proposal as featured in The Varsitarian:
http://www.varsitarian.net/news/special_news/20100326/year_of_ust_tiger_pushed
PASS THIS ON TO ALL FELLOW THOMASIANS YOU KNOW! GO USTE!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Of Brazilian and other foreign models
I CREATED THIS BLOG IN MY FRIENDSTER IN EARLY 2007. SINCE THEN NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED. FOREIGNERS (BRAZILIANS MOSTLY) STILL LORD IT OVER IN GO-SEES, VTRs, ET AL. THIS HAS GOT TO CHANGE.
In light of the just-concluded Philippine Fashion Week, one important related issue needs to be addressed.
As someone engaged in the talent management & handling business, I am somewhat discouraged by what I’ve witnessed recently in some go-sees – the Philippine modeling scene has been invaded by foreigners, particularly Brazilians. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that per se. In fact I think it’s nice of these young beautiful men and women from other countries to be working in the Philippines despite our country’s not-so-pleasant image and when thousands of Filipinos themselves leave for overseas employment every day.
But when these foreigners are favored over local models in various fashion shows, special events and even TV commercials and print ads, then that’s a different story altogether and should be looked into by concerned authorities.
During the past weeks, I brought some talents to a number of go-sees for famous brands and I was dismayed not only by the number of foreign models competing with Filipino models for the attention of the go-see organizers but by the fact that a number of these organizers eventually got mostly foreign models for their upcoming shows.
In one of the go-sees, I overheard some local models sigh in frustration saying, “ang dami na namang Brazilians, sigurado sila na naman ang makukuha.” One particularly good-looking and perfectly built male model further commented, “kaya minsan tinatamad na ‘kong magpa-go-see e.”
If those words reflect the general sentiment of our male and female mannequins, then the future of the Philippine modeling industry looks bleak. Something has to be done. Now!
“Importers” of these foreigners may say that Filipino models anyway are themselves commissioned to do modeling assignments outside the country. In Singapore, for example, a good number of fashion and commercial models are Filipinos. Well and good. They could, in a way, be considered as OFWs – our pride and saviors of the Philippine economy. However, we should look at it this way. Singapore is a very small country, the size of Subic. In fact, it’s just a dot on the map. They import foreign models out of necessity. The demand for models in that state-country is so big that it could hardly be met by locals. Thus the importation of Filipino and other foreign models.
The Philippines, on the other hand, consists of more than 7,000 islands and our population now stands at 80 million or so. It is hard to imagine that a country such as ours would be lacking in young men and women who have great potentials in modeling. In fact, the many beauty pageants and modeling competitions that take place annually, monthly even, attest to the truth that our country is rich in these “resources.”
So why the need for imported models? To satisfy our colonial mentality? If it is, then we really need to discourage it. Or is it because of these imported models’ sellability? I don’t buy that. There is absolutely nothing that these models have that Filipino mannequins don’t, except perhaps the lack of inhibition when it comes to undressing (no offense meant).
I am disappointed that the Philippine Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP), being the premiere organization of models in the country, doesn’t seem to be taking any action on this matter when they, in fact, should be at the forefront of a campaign to discourage the use of foreign models in fashion shows, TV commercials, print ads, etc. I challenge them to do something about this for the interest of our local models.
As to brand names and companies, I call on you to prioritize Filipino models. By God, you are in the Philippines. You are selling to Filipinos. It is a great insult if, in a fashion show for example, you put three Filipino models only as some sort of “props” then have tens of Brazilians as the “stars” of the show. Don’t wait for a boycott of your products or garments.
Modeling agencies and events organizers, on the other hand, should likewise realize that they are doing our country a great disservice by fielding foreigners in modeling jobs and assignments (here) instead of our very own. Don’t tell me that Filipino models are not at par with their foreign counterparts because even you know that is not true. Filipino models can give foreign models a run for their money.
Perhaps the appropriate government agency or department should start looking into this practice which is slowly but surely becoming rampant. Do these foreign models, for example, have the necessary work permits? But work permits aside, rules should be formulated to protect the interests of Filipino models.
And to our Brazilian friends, I don’t wish to sound unkind, but they should understand that this is the Philippines and Filipino models are the one who should be lording it over – on the ramp, on TV and in print – not Brazilians nor any other foreign nationals. And no I won’t say “Brazilians go home” either. They are most welcome to stay. It’s just that in the Philippine modeling scene, it's the Filipino models who should be hugging the limelight.
In light of the just-concluded Philippine Fashion Week, one important related issue needs to be addressed.
As someone engaged in the talent management & handling business, I am somewhat discouraged by what I’ve witnessed recently in some go-sees – the Philippine modeling scene has been invaded by foreigners, particularly Brazilians. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that per se. In fact I think it’s nice of these young beautiful men and women from other countries to be working in the Philippines despite our country’s not-so-pleasant image and when thousands of Filipinos themselves leave for overseas employment every day.
But when these foreigners are favored over local models in various fashion shows, special events and even TV commercials and print ads, then that’s a different story altogether and should be looked into by concerned authorities.
During the past weeks, I brought some talents to a number of go-sees for famous brands and I was dismayed not only by the number of foreign models competing with Filipino models for the attention of the go-see organizers but by the fact that a number of these organizers eventually got mostly foreign models for their upcoming shows.
In one of the go-sees, I overheard some local models sigh in frustration saying, “ang dami na namang Brazilians, sigurado sila na naman ang makukuha.” One particularly good-looking and perfectly built male model further commented, “kaya minsan tinatamad na ‘kong magpa-go-see e.”
If those words reflect the general sentiment of our male and female mannequins, then the future of the Philippine modeling industry looks bleak. Something has to be done. Now!
“Importers” of these foreigners may say that Filipino models anyway are themselves commissioned to do modeling assignments outside the country. In Singapore, for example, a good number of fashion and commercial models are Filipinos. Well and good. They could, in a way, be considered as OFWs – our pride and saviors of the Philippine economy. However, we should look at it this way. Singapore is a very small country, the size of Subic. In fact, it’s just a dot on the map. They import foreign models out of necessity. The demand for models in that state-country is so big that it could hardly be met by locals. Thus the importation of Filipino and other foreign models.
The Philippines, on the other hand, consists of more than 7,000 islands and our population now stands at 80 million or so. It is hard to imagine that a country such as ours would be lacking in young men and women who have great potentials in modeling. In fact, the many beauty pageants and modeling competitions that take place annually, monthly even, attest to the truth that our country is rich in these “resources.”
So why the need for imported models? To satisfy our colonial mentality? If it is, then we really need to discourage it. Or is it because of these imported models’ sellability? I don’t buy that. There is absolutely nothing that these models have that Filipino mannequins don’t, except perhaps the lack of inhibition when it comes to undressing (no offense meant).
I am disappointed that the Philippine Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP), being the premiere organization of models in the country, doesn’t seem to be taking any action on this matter when they, in fact, should be at the forefront of a campaign to discourage the use of foreign models in fashion shows, TV commercials, print ads, etc. I challenge them to do something about this for the interest of our local models.
As to brand names and companies, I call on you to prioritize Filipino models. By God, you are in the Philippines. You are selling to Filipinos. It is a great insult if, in a fashion show for example, you put three Filipino models only as some sort of “props” then have tens of Brazilians as the “stars” of the show. Don’t wait for a boycott of your products or garments.
Modeling agencies and events organizers, on the other hand, should likewise realize that they are doing our country a great disservice by fielding foreigners in modeling jobs and assignments (here) instead of our very own. Don’t tell me that Filipino models are not at par with their foreign counterparts because even you know that is not true. Filipino models can give foreign models a run for their money.
Perhaps the appropriate government agency or department should start looking into this practice which is slowly but surely becoming rampant. Do these foreign models, for example, have the necessary work permits? But work permits aside, rules should be formulated to protect the interests of Filipino models.
And to our Brazilian friends, I don’t wish to sound unkind, but they should understand that this is the Philippines and Filipino models are the one who should be lording it over – on the ramp, on TV and in print – not Brazilians nor any other foreign nationals. And no I won’t say “Brazilians go home” either. They are most welcome to stay. It’s just that in the Philippine modeling scene, it's the Filipino models who should be hugging the limelight.
Friday, June 5, 2009
An Open Letter to PAGE Jeans Co.
May 2, 2009
First of all, let me congratulate you for a good start in organizing the 2009 Search for the Next Page Star. I say good start because the screening process for potential candidates was organized well and I must say that the quality of candidates was generally good. However, I heard something that bothered me. I will discuss this later.
Secondly, thank you for having chosen our talent, John Leo Gorospe, as Male Star of the Night during your acquaintance party, an award that – modesty aside and as Mona herself said – John genuinely deserved.
Now let me express a few sentiments and observations regarding your search. I just hope that you take this in the spirit in which it is given and that it will serve as a lesson so that mistakes can be avoided in your future Next Page Star Search.
Zephorah Mayon is a pretty and stunning young lady. In fact, the first time I saw her walk into the room during the Mutya ng Pilipinas screening two years ago I said to myself “this girl is a winner!” She eventually won the title. However, stunning as she is, she shouldn’t have been taken in as a Page candidate. It is a well known fact that she is already a celebrity and her being so gave her unfair advantage over the others, most of whom are relatively new. I heard that she never attended the screenings and her sudden appearance during the acquaintance party raised many eyebrows. Many agents and parents questioned the wisdom of having her join. I myself wondered. An agent even intimated a suspicion, he figured that Zephorah’s manager wouldn’t enter her in the competition if he weren’t sure she’d win, for it would be a great embarrassment if she lost. So maybe, the agent said, there was already a deal between Zephorah’s manager and the Page owner. But then I gave the thought the benefit of a doubt. I thought he could be wrong. But was he?
Another questionable issue is why an agent who had talents in the competition was allowed to direct the show. Although I personally didn’t mind it that much, for the director wasn’t part of the panel of judges anyway, still his talent’s landing a semi-final slot certainly left a bad taste in the mouth of the other agents.
As to the choice of director, a competent one should have been hired instead. The Page owner who, I heard and by all indications, was generous and galante could have very well afforded a seasoned fashion director. A talent agent doesn’t necessarily make a good director and it showed during the actual show. A modeling search cum pageant cum fashion show with five segments that was to be held in the evening with only a few broken hours of rehearsals shouldn’t have consisted of many blockings. One or two blockings could have sufficed for the five segments. After all, it wasn’t the blockings that counted but the way the candidates projected on stage. This consequently led to the director berating the contestants a number of times for making mistakes. Who could blame the candidates for making mistakes in rehearsing for a very simple show with so many unnecessary blockings? Besides, in one instance, the director scolded the candidates but was put on a spot when it turned out that it was his own mistake. Next time hire a competent and professional director. So much for that.
The twenty-plus candidates were instructed to bring their own clothes expressing their personal style. Most of them went out of their way to look for the best clothes to wear. When the time for that segment (announcement of thirteen finalists) came, they weren’t even called on stage. Only the thirteen were given the chance to appear on stage in their fineries. One Page staff even told the director that perhaps they should have all the candidates called on stage but the latter said there was no need. This to me was the height of insensitivity on the part of the director who didn’t even think of the efforts that the other candidates exerted and the troubles they went through to produce their best attires. How inconsiderate!
Going to the format of the search itself, having female candidates thrice the number of males and eventually having four females and only one male as winner and runners-up is simply – I hate to use the term – dumb. There should have been an equal number of male and female candidates. Also, the decision to have only one winner – either male or female – is just as dumb. How could males and females compete equally for a single title? Perhaps it should just have been a “Miss Page” competition.
Finally, the goodwill that you generated among all the participating agents by giving them due importance was, sadly, lost in the ensuing outcome of the contest. You wasted an opportunity to build on that goodwill. Unless drastic changes are made in next year’s search, I doubt if it would get the same enthusiastic support from most other agents. I myself am reconsidering my options.
I maintain that Zephorah – pretty, elegant and deserving that she was – shouldn’t have been allowed to join, if only for the unfair advantage that her experience and celebrity status gave.
As to our talent – John Leo Gorospe – who was proclaimed Male Star of the Night during the acquaintance party but surprisingly didn’t even make it to the final 13… as his discoverer and manager, of course I believe he should have been included at least in the final 13. And I know that this is not only my opinion but many other people’s view as well. So I leave it to many of those present that night and even to many of your staff to decide if he really should have been one of the finalists. Fortunately, John – the trouper and professional that he is despite his being new in modeling (as evidenced during the acquaintance party’s talent portion when the karaoke DVD we brought didn’t work and yet he performed with gusto and sang a capella) – took his losing in stride and in very sportsmanlike manner. Of course there was a tinge of disappointment but he never showed any bitterness or resentment. That certainly made me all the more proud of our talent (I can say the same for all our other talents; we must be doing a good job instilling good values in them). I know that with John’s looks, determination, professionalism and good nature he will go places in the modeling world. Perhaps Page’s loss will be another apparel company’s gain? J (In fairness, by the way, the only male runner-up was deserving).
I can only wish Page Jeans Co. good luck in next year’s search. It is just unfortunate that a very promising model/star search such as it is started off beautifully but got tainted by unwise decisions and therefore ended up on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. But then again, there is always room for corrections and improvements.
On a final note, I would like to commend the Page staff for being helpful and accommodating throughout the duration of the search.
RHOEL “CHINO” R. MENDOZA
Managing Director
The Agencie Inc. Model & Talent Management
First of all, let me congratulate you for a good start in organizing the 2009 Search for the Next Page Star. I say good start because the screening process for potential candidates was organized well and I must say that the quality of candidates was generally good. However, I heard something that bothered me. I will discuss this later.
Secondly, thank you for having chosen our talent, John Leo Gorospe, as Male Star of the Night during your acquaintance party, an award that – modesty aside and as Mona herself said – John genuinely deserved.
Now let me express a few sentiments and observations regarding your search. I just hope that you take this in the spirit in which it is given and that it will serve as a lesson so that mistakes can be avoided in your future Next Page Star Search.
Zephorah Mayon is a pretty and stunning young lady. In fact, the first time I saw her walk into the room during the Mutya ng Pilipinas screening two years ago I said to myself “this girl is a winner!” She eventually won the title. However, stunning as she is, she shouldn’t have been taken in as a Page candidate. It is a well known fact that she is already a celebrity and her being so gave her unfair advantage over the others, most of whom are relatively new. I heard that she never attended the screenings and her sudden appearance during the acquaintance party raised many eyebrows. Many agents and parents questioned the wisdom of having her join. I myself wondered. An agent even intimated a suspicion, he figured that Zephorah’s manager wouldn’t enter her in the competition if he weren’t sure she’d win, for it would be a great embarrassment if she lost. So maybe, the agent said, there was already a deal between Zephorah’s manager and the Page owner. But then I gave the thought the benefit of a doubt. I thought he could be wrong. But was he?
Another questionable issue is why an agent who had talents in the competition was allowed to direct the show. Although I personally didn’t mind it that much, for the director wasn’t part of the panel of judges anyway, still his talent’s landing a semi-final slot certainly left a bad taste in the mouth of the other agents.
As to the choice of director, a competent one should have been hired instead. The Page owner who, I heard and by all indications, was generous and galante could have very well afforded a seasoned fashion director. A talent agent doesn’t necessarily make a good director and it showed during the actual show. A modeling search cum pageant cum fashion show with five segments that was to be held in the evening with only a few broken hours of rehearsals shouldn’t have consisted of many blockings. One or two blockings could have sufficed for the five segments. After all, it wasn’t the blockings that counted but the way the candidates projected on stage. This consequently led to the director berating the contestants a number of times for making mistakes. Who could blame the candidates for making mistakes in rehearsing for a very simple show with so many unnecessary blockings? Besides, in one instance, the director scolded the candidates but was put on a spot when it turned out that it was his own mistake. Next time hire a competent and professional director. So much for that.
The twenty-plus candidates were instructed to bring their own clothes expressing their personal style. Most of them went out of their way to look for the best clothes to wear. When the time for that segment (announcement of thirteen finalists) came, they weren’t even called on stage. Only the thirteen were given the chance to appear on stage in their fineries. One Page staff even told the director that perhaps they should have all the candidates called on stage but the latter said there was no need. This to me was the height of insensitivity on the part of the director who didn’t even think of the efforts that the other candidates exerted and the troubles they went through to produce their best attires. How inconsiderate!
Going to the format of the search itself, having female candidates thrice the number of males and eventually having four females and only one male as winner and runners-up is simply – I hate to use the term – dumb. There should have been an equal number of male and female candidates. Also, the decision to have only one winner – either male or female – is just as dumb. How could males and females compete equally for a single title? Perhaps it should just have been a “Miss Page” competition.
Finally, the goodwill that you generated among all the participating agents by giving them due importance was, sadly, lost in the ensuing outcome of the contest. You wasted an opportunity to build on that goodwill. Unless drastic changes are made in next year’s search, I doubt if it would get the same enthusiastic support from most other agents. I myself am reconsidering my options.
I maintain that Zephorah – pretty, elegant and deserving that she was – shouldn’t have been allowed to join, if only for the unfair advantage that her experience and celebrity status gave.
As to our talent – John Leo Gorospe – who was proclaimed Male Star of the Night during the acquaintance party but surprisingly didn’t even make it to the final 13… as his discoverer and manager, of course I believe he should have been included at least in the final 13. And I know that this is not only my opinion but many other people’s view as well. So I leave it to many of those present that night and even to many of your staff to decide if he really should have been one of the finalists. Fortunately, John – the trouper and professional that he is despite his being new in modeling (as evidenced during the acquaintance party’s talent portion when the karaoke DVD we brought didn’t work and yet he performed with gusto and sang a capella) – took his losing in stride and in very sportsmanlike manner. Of course there was a tinge of disappointment but he never showed any bitterness or resentment. That certainly made me all the more proud of our talent (I can say the same for all our other talents; we must be doing a good job instilling good values in them). I know that with John’s looks, determination, professionalism and good nature he will go places in the modeling world. Perhaps Page’s loss will be another apparel company’s gain? J (In fairness, by the way, the only male runner-up was deserving).
I can only wish Page Jeans Co. good luck in next year’s search. It is just unfortunate that a very promising model/star search such as it is started off beautifully but got tainted by unwise decisions and therefore ended up on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. But then again, there is always room for corrections and improvements.
On a final note, I would like to commend the Page staff for being helpful and accommodating throughout the duration of the search.
RHOEL “CHINO” R. MENDOZA
Managing Director
The Agencie Inc. Model & Talent Management
Rejoinder to "unscrupulous talent agent"
Apropos my previous blog “Unscrupulous Agent” I remember a related incident which took place in February this year. It was a TV Commercial shoot for a deodorant at the World Trade Center. One of my male talents was part of it. The moment we set foot on the shoot location I already noticed the other agents giving him the look-see type of stares.
As the shoot progressed someone told me that this she-male agent from one of the well known agencies commented that my talent was Class A, which he really is anyway. Later on, in an act very unbecoming of someone in this industry asked my co-agent, “puwede na ba ng P1000 a night yan?” referring to my talent. Fortunately for him I did not overhear him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let him get away with it just like that.
Much later, during a break in the shoot, from afar I saw this female talent of that particular agent asking for my talent’s number. Obviously, she was asked by her agent to get it so as not to raise any suspicion that he was the one who wanted my talent’s number. When I got the chance I confronted the female talent to confirm who had asked her to get my talent’s number.
At first she was obviously fabricating excuses but she kept on looking at her agent who was a few feet away from us, that all the more gave her away. I knew she was lying to her teeth and I was really getting pissed off. So I told her that if she didn’t tell me there would be trouble right there and then. Sensing perhaps the seriousness in my voice, she gave in and admitted that it was the group of her agent and two others (one was a former male talent who now works for a casting agency and the other a male talent who appears as extra in TVCs but also moonlights as agent, all three did have a reputation for pirating talents).
I then told her to erase my talent’s number from her celfone in front of me, which she did. After that confrontation, they started giving me dagger looks. And I couldn’t care less, for I know I did the right thing and that they were just among the many unprincipled, deceitful, crooked, unethical, scheming, dishonest and undesirable characters in this industry.
If these things are rampant in the industry it’s because most people do nothing to correct them. We should not let these people get away with it. Ako I will give them what they deserve.
As the shoot progressed someone told me that this she-male agent from one of the well known agencies commented that my talent was Class A, which he really is anyway. Later on, in an act very unbecoming of someone in this industry asked my co-agent, “puwede na ba ng P1000 a night yan?” referring to my talent. Fortunately for him I did not overhear him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let him get away with it just like that.
Much later, during a break in the shoot, from afar I saw this female talent of that particular agent asking for my talent’s number. Obviously, she was asked by her agent to get it so as not to raise any suspicion that he was the one who wanted my talent’s number. When I got the chance I confronted the female talent to confirm who had asked her to get my talent’s number.
At first she was obviously fabricating excuses but she kept on looking at her agent who was a few feet away from us, that all the more gave her away. I knew she was lying to her teeth and I was really getting pissed off. So I told her that if she didn’t tell me there would be trouble right there and then. Sensing perhaps the seriousness in my voice, she gave in and admitted that it was the group of her agent and two others (one was a former male talent who now works for a casting agency and the other a male talent who appears as extra in TVCs but also moonlights as agent, all three did have a reputation for pirating talents).
I then told her to erase my talent’s number from her celfone in front of me, which she did. After that confrontation, they started giving me dagger looks. And I couldn’t care less, for I know I did the right thing and that they were just among the many unprincipled, deceitful, crooked, unethical, scheming, dishonest and undesirable characters in this industry.
If these things are rampant in the industry it’s because most people do nothing to correct them. We should not let these people get away with it. Ako I will give them what they deserve.
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