FACE OF THE YEAR 2008

Winners of the rejuvenated search for the Face of the Year

One of the most popular searches in the 80's is the search for the Face of the Year which launched Janelle Barreto as a commercial model. This event was made possible by famed talent manager Jojo Veloso. He came up with this project to have a venue for model wannabes to showcase their abilities and hopefully improve their personalities. Jojo Veloso, nowadays is also a Provincial Board Member of the Province of Biliran. This search launched the careers of popular actors and models like Sabrina Artadi, Melissa Suarez, Chuck Perez, Ina Raymundo, Jennifer Pengri and Carlos Morales to name a few.

John Paul Regodon with the Model of the year winners
Princess Joy Palma and Lennard Marvin Cruz

This year, he has resurrected the “pageant” and is hopeful that his new discoveries will go on to become movie stars. There were 20 male and 20 female candidates that vied for the prestigious Face of the Year title and I was lucky that I was one of the judges for the pre - pageant and pageant night as a proxy to our chairman who was originally invited for the event. STI sponsored scholarships totaling P 200,000.00 as part of our sponsorship package. Among the candidates were two teeners aged 14 and 15 respectively who looked all the bit older than their age, joining this will definitely help imrpove if they plan to join future pageants.

Divina Beceril, female face of the year

The event was held at the PAGCOR Grand theatre which started at 9 pm and ended nearly at 3 am. The event was hosted by Ms. Philippines Earth 2007 Jeanne Harn who herself was a former Ms. STI Grand winner and Lance Raymundo who also belted some songs as part of the intermission number. Singer Micah dela Cruz and the Malabon Dance group also belted out intermission numbers.

John Paul Regodon, Male Face of the Year

Notable judges who were there were Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2008 Jennifer Barrientos, former winners Sabrina Artadi and Carlos Morales, the beauteous Cory Quirino, award winning director Jeff Jeturian, Society Columnist Donnie Ramirez , Designers Frederick Perlta, Oscar Peralta and Ricky Abad, and commodore Ricky Sandoval of the Subic Bay Yacht club to name a few of the 20 judges.

John Paul Regodon and Divina Beceril were adjudged Face of the year while Lennard MArvin Cruz and Princess Joy Palma the Model of the year. Watch out for these youngsters.