Mayor Newsom Proclaims Nov 27 as Ginoong Pilipinas-USA Day in San Francisco

Recognizing the achievements and excellence of Filipino youth in America, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaims November 27, 2005 as Ginoong Pilipinas-USA Day in San Francisco.

Fast approaching Ginoong Pilipinas-USA is America's renowned Filipino pageant for men. Now in its third year, the pageant has become the most celebrated event garnering recognitions from the Philippine Embassy to the International Pageant Board at the Manhunt International in Singapore.

Manhunt International is the world's top male modeling competition for men. And this year, Ginoong Pilipinas-USA 2004 winner Getty Santos had the opportunity to represent Guam, USA to the international competition in Busan, Korea last September. He brought home silver honors when he became the recipient of Manhunt Africa and the Islands award.

Meanwhile, Nomer Yuzon, a Ginoong Pilipinas-USA 2004 first runner-up got the judges' nod for winning the Most Photogenic award from the Mr; USA pageant held in July in North Carolina.

Reigning Ginoong Pilipinas-USA 2005 January Reclosado paid a visit to Bantay Bata's Children's Village in the Philippines. He has also become an ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel's exclusive talent for their various productions/events in the United States.

Come Nov 27, Ginoong Pilipinas-USA promises to deliver the best and the brightest of its contestants coming from different states of America. Over 300 applicants expressed their intentions of joining the pageant this year; roughly 50 had met the preliminary qualifications but only 40 will proceed to the final rounds.

Premier Filipino American comedian Rex Navarrete headlines the show with a 30-minute set after the last segment and before the announcement of winners. Celebrity host Giovannie Pico (NBC's ER) will be joined by resident emcee and San Francisco's Pride, Tita Aida, Radio Disney's Franco Finn and co-hosted by actor Lee Robin Salazar, youth activist Merve Lapus and Vagina Monologue's Leah Eva.

This year's performers include a lineup of talented all-Pinoy artists from the Bay Area: up and coming eight-piece band Sunday Groove led by Greg Lorenzana and Carlen Ocampo; four-part all female RnB, Immij; Ian Maxion, Francesca Camus, Fusion dancers, and award-winning vocal ensemble D'Journey to sing the Ginoong Pilipinas-USA theme song.

Each of the contestants will be given the chance to parade and show off their best in barong Tagalog designed by Raquel Arriola of Barong and Formal in Vallejo, Calif; underwear by Bench Philippines and signature tuxedos from Men's Wearhouse stores. Of the 40 finalists, 10 will be chosen to proceed with the final interview and in the end, one will be proclaimed the new Ginoong Pilipinas-USA who embodies the true meaning of Ginoo - a Filipino gentleman who is responsible, hardworking and one who does not forget his roots and cultural traditions.

Here's a partial list of this year's semi-finalists: Francis Aquino, Encino; Benedict Araullo, San Francisco; Angelito Ares, Vallejo; Bryan Baluyot, Sacramento; Dwight Carillo, San Jose; Mike Conol, Daly City; Charles Phillip Devaux, Millbrae; Garrett Dobbins, Reno; Phillip Domantay, San Jose; Victor Ecarma, Virginia; JP Fernandez, San Bruno;

Darwin Franco, Vallejo; Chris Friel, Camarillo; Aristotle Garcia, San Francisco; Juan Miguel Garcia, San Bruno; Jonathan Jaochico, San Francisco; Grady Justice, Massachusetts; Albert Keil, Tracy; Carlo Laygo, Covina; Dominic Lomibao, San Diego; Roderick Menor, Chicago; John Mendoza, Daly City; Ruddy Mischa, Arizona;

Pablo Miu, Daly City; Jerald Mutia, Guam; Joseph Noriega, Daly City; Tim Nubla, Daly City; Ty Padayao, Honolulu; Heinz Rimo, San Jose; John San Juan, New York; John Santos, Los Angeles; Geoffrey Suguitan, San Francisco; Olan Tolentino, New Jersey; Jason Thomas, South San Francisco; and Jose Rafael Yabut, Vallejo.

The 3rd Annual Ginoong Pilipinas-USA 2006 has been made possible through the following fine sponsors: San Francisco Honda, Realty World M Perez and Associates, All State Henry Cruz Insurance Agency, Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco Airport Burlingame, ABS-CBN's Balitang America, Pinoy Today, Bench, Men's Wearhouse, Bean Castle, The Wedge Bar, Filipino Insider, Atlantic Travel and Tours, Barong & Formal in Vallejo, Philippine News, Philippine Headlines, Philippine Fiesta, Celebrity Chronicle, Yehey!, Adkins Multi-Media Concepts, Tito Rey Restaurant (re-opening soon), Planet Pinoy, CarouselPinoy.Com, Body Renaissance Skin Care Clinic, Zirh at Macy's Serramonte, Pinoy Journal USA, Lena's Flowers & Gifts, Manila Mail, Filipino Guardian, and Inner Dimensions.

Ginoong Pilipinas-USA is a partial profit event with ABS-CBN Foundation as its permanent beneficiary. The pageant will be held Sunday, Nov 27, at 7 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco at 3301 Lyon St. Parking is free. Tickets to the event are priced at $20, $30, $50, and $100 and available to purchase at City Box Office (415) 392-4400 or online at www.tickets.com, www.CityBoxOffice.com, and www.AOLtickets.com. For more information, please visit www.ginooUSA.com. Call 415-637-9920 or 415-336-7539 for group sales or advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Applications to become candidates for 2006 are now closed.