HARI

MEMORIES OF HARI NG NEGROS (PART II)

One thing I noticed with the Hari ng Negros - Ginoong Canlaon pageant is that there always has to be a major production number or two and a "more than the usual" set design. During my year, the organizers decided to depict Canlaon City with a nature background complete with waterfalls and exotic plants.

Mr. Garry Bascones became the first Director of the pageant. Every year the organizers change directors. It is to give opportunity to talents from all over Negros. It is also to keep the pageant from being too monotonous. According to the organizers, "to breath in new life into the production every year." So expect to see a different style if you decide to watch.

Here is Garry Bascones (in red) during our technical rehearsals.

Practicing for the streetwear portion.

After the rehearsals I was really scared. Reality started to sink in. I couldn't believe in my wildest nightmares that I would be part of a male pageant. The worst part is that I had to walk in a bikini fronting my family, friends, classmates, neighbors and thousands of total strangers. I not only had butterflies in my stomach, but also bumblebees, dragonflies and killer wasps.


PAGEANT NIGHT

The Canlaon City Sports and Cultural Center was filled to the rim. I remember backstage praying for a miracle. Also this time, Mt. Kanlaon was very active and restless. Days before pageant night, the volcano alert level has gone up. You can see steam and smoke rising out of the its crater. "Please have a major eruption, so it will be an act of nature that will cancel the show, please, please please!!" I kept praying to no avail.

Well, here goes...

The first portion of the show was the Tribal wear where we introduced what place we were representing.

Coming out from backstage in our tribal wear.

After the tribal introductions came the streetwear and what you have probably been waiting for - the swimwear.

Brian Montecarlo enticing the judges. Notice the full packed audience.

Ruel Peralta striking a pose.

Armil Ganza showing off his winning form.

Steve Serad

Don Austria

and me trying to escape from this nightmare.

First group showdown.

Here is me (far left) asking myself, "What the hell am I doing here?"

Now come the formal wear competition. This is actually my favorite portion (no major steps or exposure) While modeling our barongs (Philppine men's formal attire), we were serenaded by Ms. Grace Mahinay (who happened to marry my elder brother a couple of years later). She sang a medley of OPM (Original Pilipino Music) from Regine Velasquez to Sharon Cuneta.

Gai Ono looking sharp.

Jeffson Villanueva

Bernard Baguios

And me still as shy as ever.

Here's Ate Grace taking a bow for the audience. She was stunning and amazing. Then came a surpise number by Mystica.

After Mystica brought the house done. The Top 5 finalists were announced. From left to right Grizaldy Gamboa of Bacolod City, Don Austria of Victorias City, yours truly of Canlaon City, Steve Serad of San Carlos City and Joeden Espinosa of La Carlota City.

The final question that was asked to all 5 finalists was. "What makes you cry?" Most of the guys answered when they see a family member get hurt. When it came for me to answer, I played with the audience a little (knowing there were lots of teeny bopper girls rooting for me) and answered, "When I miss someone so much, knowing I wouldn't find her no matter how hard I look (thunderous screams from girls), but seriously crying does not make me less of a man, it just shows that I am in touch with my emotions, thank you."

The 4th Runner up is La Carlota City, the 3rd Runner up is Victorias City, the 2nd Runner-up is San Carlos City, the 1st Runner-up is Bacolod City and yours truly became the 1st Hari ng Negros - Ginoong Canlaon.

This is only the beginning.