ABS-CBN airs Mr. and Miss Chinatown 2014 tonight

CEBU, Philippines - ABS-CBN will be airing the second search for the next Mr. and Miss Chinatown today, following a deal signed by the network and the Miss Chinatown Foundation last year.

In what is to be a meeting of two cultures with shared values, this search is set to redefine Filipino-Chinese beauty, and to pave the way for better business relations. It also aims to realize cultural and artistic goals that are shared between the Filipinos and the Chinese.

At the formal launch held in Gloria Maris Gateway, a total of 24 Filipino-Chinese candidates, split between males and females aged 18 to 25 were formally presented. These candidates will be competing for the prestigious title to represent the Filipino-Chinese community in the country.

The female candidates include Glezlie Ong, Christine Grace Co, Judielyn Chang, Abegail Chua Castor, Chelsea Robato, Nicole Cordoves, Tola Orendain, Felina Joyce Lim, Sharmay Cu, Jamie Reyes, Lourdes Aurora Cu, and Anie Unson.

Meanwhile, the male candidates are Kurt Joshua Ong, Oscar Daniel Miralles, Wesley Chawn Cua, Michael Anthony Tiong, Mark Anthony Lim, John Ralph Boo, Jan Hung, Timothy Lawrence Yap, King Choi, Raven Robin Go, Cedrick Cheston Miranda, and David Sy Licauco.

The candidates from Mr. and Miss Chinatown this year, according to organizers, are a strong mix of contemporary men and women that come from some of the country's most prestigious universities, majoring in a wide range of specialized courses.

In last year's competition, the first ever Mr. and Miss Chinatown competition, the title of Miss Chinatown Philippines went to Interior Design student Ronili Lim Pineda, while the title of Mr. Chinatown Philippines went to Randy See. They took home P500,000 cash, also winning a trip to China (either Beijing or Shanghai, with pocket money), and a possible contract with Star Magic.

This year, the candidates are in the running to win P500,000 worth of cash and prizes for the Mr. and Miss Chinatown winners, 1st runner-up will win 300,000 worth of cash and prizes, and 2nd runner-up will win P200,000 worth of cash and prizes.

ABS-CBN and the Miss Chinatown Foundation deem this as an event to open doorways towards unified communities and better goals—beginning with a celebration of the shared values of the Filipino and Chinese communities and cultures, ultimately geared towards strengthening the fusion of the two in honing and shaping the potential of this generation.

Watch out for the grand coronation tonight which will air live on ABS-CBN. For additional details and information, follow @MsandMissChinatown on Twitter and Instagram, or visit the official Facebook page of Mr. and Miss Chinatown Philippines 2014 at www.facebook.com/MrandMissChinatown. (FREEMAN)