The Mr Gay Gay Hong Kong® Organization is proud to introduce five courageous finalists vying for the 2013 Mr Gay Hong Kong® title. They are:
Edward Chao, 33, a Chinese-Canadian polyglot proficient in seven languages;Tommy Leung, 23, a flamboyant entertainer oozing with natural-born charisma;Anthony Pura, 29, a model and professional dancer with a degree in Industrial Engineering;Ernest Kam, 45, a career lifeguard who wishes to share his lifesaving experiences to be a role model for gay youth; and Michael Morrill, 35, a schoolteacher on a powerful mission to shed light on the realities of People Living with HIV.
Edward Chao, 33, a Chinese-Canadian polyglot proficient in seven languages;Tommy Leung, 23, a flamboyant entertainer oozing with natural-born charisma;Anthony Pura, 29, a model and professional dancer with a degree in Industrial Engineering;Ernest Kam, 45, a career lifeguard who wishes to share his lifesaving experiences to be a role model for gay youth; and Michael Morrill, 35, a schoolteacher on a powerful mission to shed light on the realities of People Living with HIV.
The 2013 Mr Gay Hong Kong® winner will be determined from a composite tally based on 60% judges’ ratings, 30% public vote and 10% score from staff of the Mr Gay Hong Kong® Organization.
A celebrity panel of judges will rate the finalists on their platform speeches, swimwear, formal wear and interview; the public vote is determined from finalists’ pre-finale popularity on www.mrgayhongkong.com, social media channels, and real-time votes from the Grand Finale audience; and the MGHKO vote is tallied from directors, photographers, stylists and volunteers.
This year’s panel of judges is made up of the following newsmakers:
Joanne Ooi, Founder, PlukkaHelena Chan, Finalist, Asia’s Next Top ModelKasper Wan, Transgender ActivistMichael Vidler, Solicitor and Human Rights ActivistAdam White, Editor, HK Magazine
Manuel Palacios, Manager, ARMANI/PRIVÉ
The 2013 Mr Gay Hong Kong® winner will be featured in a cover and 6-page spread in Dim Sum Magazine; become a Red Ribbons Ambassador for AIDS Concern, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention; take stewardship of Tongzhi Tsai, MGHKO’s campaign against homophobic bullying in schools; participate inWinter Pride in Whistler, B.C.; and represent Hong Kong at the 2014 Mr Gay World finals in Rome, Italy.
The 2013 Mr Gay Hong Kong® Grand Finale will be held on October 19, Saturday, 7pm, on the terrace of Giorgio Armani’s flagship club in Asia, ARMANI/PRIVÉ. The program will be MC’d by blogger, columnist and Mr Gay Hong Kong® founder, James Gannaban, with performances by Hong Kong’s first and only drag cabaret, Les Fleurs Sauvages. Anshuman Das is Executive Producer.
Voting is now open and Grand Finale tickets are pre-selling at www.mrgayhongkong.com. Tickets may be purchased online in advance for HKD250, inclusive of a piccolo bottle of Prosecco Zonin 1821, until October 11 only. Admission price on the day of the Grand Finale is HKD350, also inclusive of a piccolo bottle of Prosecco Zonin 1821.
The 2013 Mr Gay Hong Kong® Grand Finale is co-produced by Ansh Das Media and Hyperactive, Inc., in cooperation with Pink Dollar.
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ABOUT THE MR GAY HONG KONG® ORGANIZATION:
The Mr Gay Hong Kong® Organization conducts the yearly search for the territory’s LGBT spokesperson and role model. Founded in 2009, the pageant’s first edition was covered by Radio Television Hong Kong (香港電台; RTHK Radio III), with Rick Twombley, a fitness professional from Tin Shui Wai by way of Atlanta, winning the title. Controversy immediately ensued, and with it, extensive coverage from local, regional and global media eager to capture the pulse of the LGBT movement in Asia.
Every Mr Gay Hong Kong® titleholder is also tasked with representing the territory at the Mr Gay World® finals. Hong Kong boasts a spotless record, with distinguished finishes the past four years. 2012 Mr Gay Hong Kong® Benjie Caraig, a dance instructor from Yau Tsim Mong, delivered Hong Kong’s best performance thus far, almost clinching the title with a 1st Runner-up finish in Antwerp, Belgium.
Today, Mr Gay searches in other other Asian countries are conducted under the joint leadership of Mr Gay World-Philippines® and the Mr Gay Hong Kong® Organization.
The Mr Gay Hong Kong® Organization has interests in Media & Public Relations, Online & Social Media Consulting, Entertainment & Events, Publishing, and Charitable Causes.
