Civil engineering major crowned first Hari sa Sugbo

CEBU, Philippines — Fourteen dashing gentlemen gathered Sunday night to vie for the Hari sa Sugbo 2018 title at the Arctic Hall of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

An advocacy pageant produced by fashion designer Malayka Yamas and in partnership with Cebu Plus Association Inc., Hari sa Sugbo pushes for the awareness and prevention of HIV-AIDS. It encourages people to see past the disease and stop the discrimination directed towards people living with HIV by actively involving the candidates in campaigns.

The new pageant also searches for the modern day “hari” or “king”—who despite not coming from political families or the elite, still has the moral fiber and determination to set a good example and make a difference, someone who is steadfast in his advocacies, someone wise and kind.

Elcid Camacho was hailed as the first Hari sa Sugbo title holder after he bested more than 46 aspirants who joined the screening, 13 other official candidates, and 6 semifinalists. The 26-year-old civil engineering major brought home P50,000 and sponsor prizes.

“I’m really happy, this is really overwhelming. I can’t even speak,” the model says in a post-coronation interview. “I am so ready to push my advocacies. I can’t wait!”

Judged according to their appearances (in their “Hari” costume, swimwear, Bench underwear with the new Bench Cary Santigao fragrance in hand and formal wear) the 14 Hari Sa Sugbo candidates were then trimmed down to seven. The remaining seven were to randomly fish out a card bearing a hashtag that they were to expound on or express their sentiments on.

The judges, who had the task of assessing the contestants’ performance, beauty, physique and wit were Philippines’ master couturier and Queen Philippines and Binibining Cebu pageant chair Cary Santiago; Queen Philippines Universe 2017 Samantha Dodson; Menzone Cebu proprietor Resie Elle Saranillo; Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino marketing communications manager Arnel Aparis; Professor RJ Villarosa; Drew Sarmiento; Mandaue City Treasurer Atty. Regal Oliva; Dennis Janson of Petron Coporation Philippines; plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Fremont Base; Binibining Cebu 2017 Apriel Smith; and Mr. Philippines 1989 and Mr. Asia 1990 title-holder Hector Alcancia, who chaired the panel of judges.

Camacho, who was asked what “#Discrimination” meant for him during the interview round, said: “Discrimination is very rampant in this generation. There are so many judgmental people, and for me discrimination is something that should not be taken lightly. We are all created by God fair and equal.”

The Bohol native has been in Cebu for eight years now. His other pageant placements include Mr. Summer Body 2014 and Mr. Cebu Body 2016. A health and fitness advocate, Camacho plans to go national by joining Misters of Pilipinas after he relinquishes his Hari sa Sugbo crown.

Camacho hopes to eradicate the negative stereotype about male pageantry being degrading and exploitative. He plans to do this by showing the good that has come out of him and the good he was able to do throughout his pageant journey.

Placing first runner-up (Hari sa Habagat) receiving P30,000 is Jacques Clarence Lim, a 22-year-old accounting major from the University of San Carlos. Lim also won Darling of the Press, Dr. Alvin’s Mr. Flawless and Best in Formal Wear after his striking and suave appearance as he donned the traditional Filipino barong.

“I feel very blessed and honored. We, the three winners, should work as one. Whatever advocacy the other pursues, I will support it,” says Lim, who joined pageantry to get out of his comfort zone.

French Bonn Petallo was third runner-up (Hari sa Amihan) and brought home a P20,000. The 28-year-old call center trainer expressed how happy he was for Camacho who he has closely known and even competed against over the years.

“I’m really happy not just because I was expecting anything. I’m really thankful for the experience, all the people I’ve met. And I’m really happy for Elcid. We’ve been helping each other out. He’s a close friend of mine,” quips Petallo, who is from Surigao City but has been in Cebu for the past eight years. The Hari ng Lapu-Lapu 2014 titleholder hopes to make the cut for Century Tuna’s Superbods, having joined a recent screening alongside Camacho.

The other semifinalists were Vann Ramos who won Best Hari Costume and Best Bench Body; Serg Compuesto who was hailed Mr. Photogenic and Mr. R&R Salon; Dan Joshua Olaco; and Ram Termulo who won Best in Production Number and hailed by the Innocence Collection as Hari ng Gabi.

Other awardees were Aldee Sola as Jonas Borces Face of the Night and the Blank Magazine Award which came with an editorial and a shoot; Odelio Duja Jr. as Mr. Friendship and winner of the social media voting.

Hosted by the newly-wed Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, the Hari sa Sugbo coronation night featured one of Bench’s latest fragrances by Cary Santiago. Cebuano talents like the University of Cebu Dance Troupe, WCOPA silver medalist Danielle Ozaraga, and “Pilipinas Got Talent” 2018 contestants Maka Girls were on hand to perform.

Indeed, a new era in male pageantry has come to Cebu and it not only calls the tall and the handsome but also those with sensitivity and strong will.

Much will be required not only of Camacho as the Hari sa Sugbo, but of every Cebuano who should also embody the Bisaya sensibility and possess concern for their community.