Modern Filipino Gent, star-studded Philpop night

MANILA, Philippines - Twelve of the most popular celebrity heartthrobs are pitted against each other in a social media poll to determine who among them will take the title Modern Filipino Gentleman. 

Actors and singers dominate the finalists in the new Élan Awards which leather brand McJIM spearheads. 

Dingdong Dantes, Xian Lim, Coco Martin, Piolo Pascual, Jericho Rosales and Derek Ramsay make up for half of the list deliberated by a celebrity panel comprising of Victor Basa, Sam YG and Tim Yap. 

“It was challenging than I thought it was,” said Sam YG as they had to go through around 50 to 80 names nominated by the public via McJIM Classic Leather’s official Facebook fan page. Nominees had to be 23 to 40 years old. 

The finalists were chosen based on three criteria, namely, elegance of style, manners and etiquette, and accomplishment. These categories remain valuable guide to public voting, still through Facebook, that will determine the winner. 

Christian Bautista and Richard Poon also made it to the final cut, as well as Chris Tiu and Phil Younghusband. 

Project spokesperson Chris Cahilig pointed out, “That’s why we verbalize the criteria. So the people will know what to consider when voting.”

Rounding up the Magic 12 are Erwan Heussaff and Sen. Sonny Angara. 

Voting period began last June 17 and will end on Aug. 2. The winner gets P100,000, another P100,000 for charity donation and one-year supply of McJIM products. 

Meanwhile, the upcoming 2013 Philpop Finals night also ensures a star-studded affair as far as the line-up of interpreters is concerned. The iconic Ryan Cayabyab, serving as Philpop’s executive director, made note of that, emphasizing that bigger names are interpreting the songs of this year’s finalists come “judgment day” set at Meralco Theater in Ortigas, July 20.

The list includes soloists Christian, Sitti, Sam Concepcion, Karylle and Gloc-9 who will co-perform with Joey Ayala for the latter’s entry Papel. 

Band vocalists also come in good numbers, with the participation of Callalily’s Kean Cipriano, Spongecola’s Yael Yuzon, ex-6Cyclemind lead singer Ney Dimaculangan and Never The Strangers’ Ace Libre. 

The chosen artists already recorded the entries designated to them. Libre put voice to Sometimes That Happens written by longtime bandmates Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura and Niño Regalado. Buenaventura said of him, “He gave a spin to it and it all fell into place. Our recording was surprisingly easy and we felt some good vibe all along.” 

Interestingly, Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola were given the song Askal by novelty act Ganny Brown from Mindanao. 

The power ballad band Six-Part Invention interpreted Kennard Faraon’s Time Machine. His slot is significant for being the lucky 13th entry as he was called upon to join the elite after one of the original finalists, Marion Aunor, backed out for “personal reasons.” 

Others contending to win a million peso grand prize and a limited edition-glass trophy by Ramon Orlina are Marlon Barnuevo for Araw, Ulap, Langit, Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana for Dati, Johnny Danao for Kung ‘Di Man, Jungee Marcelo for Pansamantagal, Lara Maigue for Sa’yo Na Lang Ako, Paul Armesin for Sagundo, Raffy Calicdan for Space, and Myrus Apacible for Sana Pinatay Mo Na Lang Ako.