‘Collective effort, collective ideas are the main factors why we are here. Our purpose of organizing this event is not only to give entertainment and inspiration but also we will be extending to charity project in Passi City, Iloilo, Philippines”, this was a part of the message of Ma. Wilma Padura, president of Passi City (Iloilo) Association Hong Kong (PCIAHK) during the Quest for Pretty Boyz’ King ’08 held last July 13, 2008. The Finals & the Awarding Ceremony was held at the Bayanihan Kennedy Town Centre last July 20.

The Caritas Community Hall in Caritas House located at Caine Road, Hong Kong was jam-packed with spectators so eager to watch and witness the eleven (11) dashing and good-looking candidates for the Quest for Pretty Boyz’ King 2008. The program was formally opened by the impressive singing of Doxology and the National Anthem of the Philippines by the Passi City Chorale.

 The show was in its 2^nd year of showcasing the talents of our lesbians’ compatriots who in their own special way has contributed a lot to the community and to the society as a whole. This was also to promote the spirit of teamwork, camaraderie and friendship among the candidates, organizers as well as of various groups /associations wherein they belong. The purpose of bringing them together were to develop and improve their capabilities, competence and skills in terms of engaging and participating in different kind of activities such as in sports, entertainment and social awareness about themselves and other current issues concerning life of an OFWs here in Hong Kong.

Jho P. Dago of BEST International Overseas Workers Association was crowned as Pretty Boyz’ King and won the Pretty Boyz Got Talent Award. Me-an Ligwatan of Ifugao Association HK was the Pretty Boyz’ Prince and garnered the most coveted awards such as Best in Interview, Best in Sports Wear,  Best in Production Number, Darling of the Palace and the extremely hilarious and very entertaining category, the Best in Yesterday Once More Wear. It is a category in which the candidates wore their most stunning and sexy dresses that reveal their original beauty as true women. Mhel M. Uyammi of Banawe, Ifugao Organization HK was the Pretty Boyz’ Knight while Vince A. Samson of Kabatak Assn. & BSUC and Lito D. Alabaso of ASTIG HK won the Best in Royal Attire and Choreographers’ Choice Awards respectively. Meanwhile, Mhegs V. Cabasal also of Kabatak HK who disposed a lot of admission tickets got the Kingdom’s Choice Award. The rest of the candidates were Lianne C. Bumidang of Lamut, Ifugao Organization HK, Ace C. Corpuz of Philguys, Jhigz R. Mendoza of BOTF Group, Nick T. Delfin of VIP Artist Club HK and Marnie G. Matucan.

Passi City Chorale and Passi City Pretty Boyz’ I, were the leading performers of the event. Ms. Annabelle Collado, member of the Passi City Chorale serenaded the candidates and enthralled the audience by her beautiful voice and made others to have a misty eye.

The Board of Judges was comprised of Mr. Rolando ‘Rolly’ Cruz, General Manager of PNB Remittance Center Ltd., Mr. Tony Bartolome, Editor of True Friends newsmag, Ms. Anna Lissa A. Payawal, Managing Director of B&S Tour and Travel, Mr. Val O. Miquiabas, Compliance Officer of First Metro Remittance Ltd. HK., Ms. Nena Magdalena Latonero, President of Philippine Cultural Academy HK, Ms. Carmen Besa of Max GXL Int’l., and the four HK Disneyland performers namely Mr. German Philip Muncal, Ms. Camille Cauchon, Ms. Hanedy Sala and Ms. Jill Roy. The adjudicators were Ms. Maritess Bandales-Chiu, Ms. Melinda Villamor, Ms. Shella Grace Estrada and Mr. Leo Guinto.

PCIAHK also launched the BIGAY-BIGAS (Rice-Giving) Project intended to the typhoon and flood victims in Passi City, Iloilo, Philippines. Passi City, the province of Iloilo and the whole island of Panay was devastated by Storm Frank and brought along unimaginable torrential rains that made its streets wide avenues of water last June 21, 2008. Many of the Passinhons has suffered more than enough and more than they deserved. In this effect, the Passinhons here in Hong Kong initiated the project as their way of helping their ‘kasimanwa’.

The event also became the venue of the presentation of PCIAHK’s newly formed group, the Passi I Central School Alumni (Hong Kong Chapter) in relation to the international homecoming on February 09, 2009 in Passi City, Iloilo, Philippines.

Sponsors of the said event were as follows: B&S Tour and Travel as major sponsor, Jollibee HK, RFC HK, AFreight (Asia Pacific) Ltd., PNB Remittance Center Ltd., First Metro Remittance Center Ltd., The Writers’ Guild, Focus Door to Door Cargo, Gen-Ex Cargo, Public Finance and some individuals and supporters of Passi City family.

Reactions:

“Bibo at napakasaya, this is the show that our kababayans really need to watch during their days off and holidays” - Vice Consul Val Simon Roque.

“Tatak Passi, tatak quality” - Mr. Rolly Cruz, General Manager of PNB Remittance Centre Ltd.

“A very great show” - Labor Attaché Romy Salud.