Star Magic eyes collab with Chinoy pageant to cast winners in vertical shorts

Riding on the rise of vertical series followings among mobile phone users, the inaugural Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Philippines will have its winners appear in their own “microdramas” to take a slice of the ballooning audience pie.

Chinoy TV has partnered with ABS-CBN’s Star Magic for the first edition of the national competition, that took advantage of the “Star Hunt” nationwide search platform to gather candidates.

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Scouring Metro Manila and the cities of Cebu, Davao, and Baguio, the screening netted 26 aspirants to compete in the male and female divisions of the pageant, which sprung off from the two-year-old international Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global competition, also produced by Chinoy TV.

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The “Winners’ Night” was held at the iconic Manila Metropolitan Theater in the nation’s capital city on Tuesday evening, Oct. 20, and crowned crowd favorites Maria Yna Angela Uy of Quezon City and Benedict Siao of Manila as winners.

Discovering the next generation of “Chinoy” (Chinese-Filipino) entertainment stars was at the forefront during the show’s opening production number, when several of the contestants themselves sang live, while the rest danced.

Star Magic Head Laurenti Dyogi sat at the judging panel, showing how serious the competition was in searching for the next entertainment darlings. ABS CBN Studios will produce the microdramas for an international audience, and capitalize on the current popularity of vertical series.

But aside from starring in their own microdrama series for international release, Siao and Uy also carries the responsibility of representing the Philippines at the third edition of the Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global pageant, which will take place in Cebu City in February next year.

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Uy, who is no stranger to international competitions being the 2025 Supermodel Universe winner, will try to post the Philippines’ second victory in the female division two years since Khryss Go captured the crown at the global tilt’s first edition. Siao will try to become the first Filipino contender to win the male title.

Settling for the first runner-up spot at the national pageant were Jyron Ngo from Binondo, Manila, and Izobel Uy from Cebu City. Rounding up the winners’ circle were second runners-up Jay Chan II from Cebu City and Jamaica Co from Pasig City.

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The two main titleholders also took home several special awards at the competition. Siao was Mr. Century Park Hotel Manila, Mr. Gibi, Mr. Luftonic, Best in Cultural Wear, and Best in Formal Wear. Uy, meanwhile, received the Ms. John Hay Hotels, Ms. Luftonic, and Best in Cultural Wear awards. /edv