Thais rule in first Global Asian Model 2019 World Finals

Two Thai models - male and female - won the inaugural Global Asian Model 2019 World Finals during a competition held at The Cove Theater in Okada Manila, Paranaque City recently.

The winners were: Falco Sornnarin, Male Global Asian Model 2019; and Artittaya Promchart, Female Global Asian Model 2019. They are both from Thailand.

Each of them will receive US$10,000 (P500,000) cash and US10,000 (P500,000) of worth of management contract.

Philippine representatives Ella Lubag was named 1st runner-up; while Vince Marcelo, 3rd runner-up.

Other winners were: Alexander Tomohiro, Japan, male category, 1st runner-up; Luke Pereira, male category, Singapore; and Runa Matsui, female category, Japan, both 2nd runner-up; Anyssa Mendez, female, USA, 3rd runner-up; and Tran Quang Thang, male, Vietnam; and My Duyen, female, also of Vietnam, both 4th runner-up.

The winners were selected based on their stage confidence and looks as they model in three segments of the competition wearing neon swimwear, street wear, and a formal wear of their choice.

Observers said that the international modelling competition is a breath of fresh air in the Philippine scene which is dominated by almost every kind of beauty pageants.

There were no question-and-answer portion, special awards, or talent category during the contest. "It's an exciting show of confidence, diversity, and glamor in modelling."

Beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud, producer of the modelling competition, also of Empire Studios; RS Francisco, President of Frontrow Philippines, which co-produced the contest; and Sam Verzosa, CEO, Frontrow Philippines, led in awarding the winners.

Gaffud is a popular pageant expert who groomed successful Filipino beauty queens namely 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, 2013 Miss World Megan Lynne Young, and 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa.

Thirty-eight male and female models with Asian heritage competed in the first Global Asian Model 2019 World Finals.

"It's a search for supermodels with Asian heritage. The winners will have guaranteed modeling placements in Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, Los Angeles, and New York," said Gaffud.

These days, many Asian models have become at the forefront of modelling world for popular brands abroad, he said.

"Asia has become the forefront of fashion where a lot of today’s seasoned models have Asian lineage, Eurasians, Pan-Asians, North and South American Asians; truly, Asia has conquered the world," Gaffud added. - Robert Requintina