Model search ‘Face of the Year’ is back

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
21 August 2008

Being discovered by a talent scout while strolling in a mall, or just sweeping the sidewalk perhaps, or serving a customer in a fast-food restaurant is a far too common an anecdote of models, movie/TV stars now basking in fame and fortune.

A modeling search is the one of the best ways to meet people in the fashion industry for connection. It is also the venue where you can meet the media who can give you free publicity, and or meet producers who could be willing to gamble on you and transform you into a big star.

Face of the Year, a modeling search founded and organized by semi-retired talent manager Jojo Veloso, is back after seven years, but this time, it is under a new management. The franchise of the modeling contest is now owned by budding actor and young entrepreneur James Radd Amado via his Faces International Management Agency.

“I want to try different things. Producing this contest is something new and challenging for me. Although I am a people person, staging Face of the Year is a big task considering that this contest has been in a break for seven years,” 24-year-old James said during an interview at the Great Mall of China where the selection of the contest’s Press’ and Photographer’s Choice Awards was held.

Twenty dashing young men and 20 gorgeous young women sashayed before the press on Aug. 16. Their youthful faces are set to vie for the title 2008 Face of the Year and 2008 Model Discovery of the Year in the grand coronation night slated on Sept. 18 at the Pagcor Theater.

“Our goal is to make this model search bigger than ever. We are eyeing international competitions where we can send the winners. Our agency has been in constant communication with other international agencies. I hope the inter-agency competition we are setting would push through because this could give our talents international exposure,” James explained.

From several hundreds who auditioned, 20 beautiful young girls made it to the official list of candidates and they are Mary Grace Imperial, Maria Aishelle Sanchez, Vanessa-Jane Revilla, Kristine Marie Manicad, Joyce Ann Quizon, Venus Ann Baluya, Ma. Isabelle Mendoza, Jennifer Robertte Fajardo, Divina Beceril, Russelyn Reguin, Allysa Grace Silverio, Roxanne Ortiz, Rachel Luzon, Sarah Misa Hernandez, Elaine delos Santos, Atheena Taccad, Chanela Mira Limpin, Princess Joy Palma, Christine Joy Eugenio and Carla Janine Lao.

The official candidates for the male division are Peter Paul Danganan, Marvin Angeles, John Christian Lopez, Christian Wilfred Gonzaga, John Michael Villanueva, Michael Estorninos, Lester Buna, Jervy Arahan, Lennard Marvin Cruz, Luis Miguel Acosta, Rafael Tolentino, Justine Royce Dizon, Mark Unrubia, Paulo Dy, John Paul Regodon, Rafael Morales, Gabriel Inigo Uy Garcia, Peter Vander Muelen, Yuri Novelli and Mc Carlou Timbol.

These 40 good-looking candidates will visit Subic Bay Yacht Club on Aug. 30 to 31 for the swimsuit competition; they will also face another round of scrutiny for the Cover Girl and Cover Boy competition on Sept. 13 at the Elbow Room in Metro Walk Alabang; and another one for the Glamour Award competition at the Sofitel Philippines Plaza Manila a day before the final night.

Winners of the title Face of the Year and Model Discovery of the Year will be the country’s official delegates to the Faces International Model Search to be held in Los Angeles sometime next year.

The winners will endorse Great Mall of China, located along Macapagal Avenue, and Netopia for one year. They will also receive cash prizes, educational plans from STI and contracts under Viva Films.