OFFICIAL candidates from 20 different countries who are vying to be the next Asian superstar.

Asia is the largest continent on Earth in terms of size, population and economies. To date, the continent has 49 states/countries, all members of the United Nations with boundaries in Africa, Europe and Oceania.

Given its size and diversity because of human and physical geography, an exciting and modern competition in search for the next Global Asian Model was founded to highlight the Asian heritage.

At the forefront of the glamorous inaugural edition of Global Asian Model International search is Empire.ph president Jonas A. Gaffud, whose vision is to discover the next runway, print and commercial model and to elevate the prestigious world of fashion and modeling — from the old world of the Middle East, to the rich civilization of the subcontinent of India, to the empires of China, Mongolia, Japan and Korea and the emerging region of Southeast Asia.

“There are 20 countries now that will compete 20 girls and 20 boys — so it will be a mixed contest. We’re looking for the next Asian superstar. Because it’s time for us, Asians, to believe in our heritage, our ancestry. I don’t want to call it race, but maybe (we need to highlight the Asian looks). I think that we (comprise) the biggest market now in the world. And we also need to uplift this market and our service industry through modeling which I think hasn’t been given much attention,” Gaffud said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Dubbed as the ultimate queenmaker, Gaffud made a name in the world of pageantry by producing the Philippines’ first Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa and the much-celebrated third Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

Achieving success with his pageant agency Aces and Queens, he then founded Mercator Modeling Management. “I’m doing this because of the Asian heritage. I have been dreaming of this since 2012. I am thankful to Pia because when she won the Miss Universe crown, I had my break. I am also doing this because I started as a modeling agent. I seem to have forgotten that part of my life. I just want to return to it once more because that’s where I started,” he explained.

Unknown to many, it was Gaffud who scouted Atom Araullo when he was still a UP college student.

The first-ever Global Asian Model Philippines 2018 winners, Ella Lubag and Vince Marcelo, are the official Philippine representatives to the inaugural search this coming November in Manila.

Helmed by experts and to be judged by the best names in the fashion industry, Global Asian Model International aims to produce the next supermodel with Asian look to the forefront of fashion.

The inaugural Global Asian Model International Finals will be held on Thursday, 21 November, at the Cove Nightclub at Okada Manila.

The best Asian models and other nationalities with Asian descent representing their countries, cities, states and territories are expected to arrive on Saturday, 16 November, for a welcome dinner at Okada Manila.

The 40 models will have their official photo shoot on 17 November (Sunday) and fashion film shoot on 18 November (Monday) at Okada Manila, sponsors’ visist and press presentation on 19 November (Tuesday) and training and fittings on 20 November (Wednesday) at Empire Studios.

First male Global Asian Model Philippines 2018 winner ,Aaron Davis.

(ABOVE) Vince Marcelo and Ella Lubag (left) are the country’s representatives to the inaugural search this month in Manila.

The pageant opens its doors to models of all body types and heights who have the potential to be world-renowned personalities. They will receive cash prizes and a guaranteed modeling contract in Manila and other Asian cities, like Singapore, Bangkok and possibly Los Angeles.

Asian models who are interested to join must be 18 to 27 years old. Any country in Asia can be represented as long as the model representatives have a passport of their country. Other countries from Europe, Americas, Africa and Australia may be represented by models who have Asian lineage, full (both parents are Asian) or half (one parent is Asian and the other parent has a lineage of the country he or she is representing).

After the international finals in November, the local search begins.

This season, Global Asian Model Philippines is looking for models who are more than just pretty faces, models who can help move major brands and represent them well. It also seeks those who can inspire others and use social media as a tool for spreading positivity and use their influence for the greater good.

The winners will compete in the second edition of Global Asian Model International 2020 (male and female). Other competition in the franchise are: Miss Charm Philippines, to compete for the inaugural edition in January 2020 in Vietnam; Supermodel Philippines (female) to compete in the ninth edition of Supermodel International World Final on February 2020 in Thailand; Manhunt Philippines to compete for the 20th edition of Manhunt International on February 2020 in Manila; and Mister Global Philippines to compete next year in Thailand.

These winners will have one year guaranteed contracts with Empire and Mercator Model Management and cash prizes during the finals on Friday the 13th December 2019 at Okada Manila.

Prior to winning Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2019, Samantha Lo was a product of last year’s Global Asian Model Philippines who represented the Philippines in the Best Model of the World held in Istanbul, Turkey.

The first male Global Asian Model Philippines 2018 winner Aaron Davis continues to grace the ramp with his well-chiseled body, from strutting his way in last year’s edition of Best Model of the World in Istanbul, Turkey, to his recent participation at Bench Fashion Week.

Filipino-American model Jeff Langan, an alumnus of Global Asian Model Philippines competition, won third Runner-up at Manhunt International World Final held in Gold Coast, Australia.

The official 36 candidates of the Global Asian Model Philippines were revealed during the final screening held at Empire Studios in BGC, Taguig, on 13 October.

The 15 males are Jhay Mark Ronquillo, Cass Gumapas, Carlo Tingcungco, Mitchell Agapito, Afshin Azar Hamed, Unique John Lico, Michael Franco Bertumen, Benedykt Kaszuba, Jason Tan, Vdrigo Francia, Matthew Tananggee, Mico Teng, Daumier Corilla, Cheovy Castillo and Mar Conrad Camacho.

The 21 females are Danielle Nicole Rosario, Martina Angela Joaquin, Bianca Apuya, Milissa Grande, Christelle Agustin, Daina Nelson, Claire Rosas, Elaiza Alzona, Charmaine Davis, Trayana Alexi Austria, Gerlaine Silva, Jasmin Ariola, Honeylou Nierras, Ashley Montenegro, Asha Guiterrez, Maria Isabella Ortega, Patrisha Guitierrez, Courtney Buenaventura, Hannah Quiohilag, Isabell Alves and Beatrice Santos.

Both Global Asian Model International and Philippines are produced by Empire.ph which houses a production arm of digital content, beauty pageant training and personality development (Empire Studios), fashion and commercial (Mercator Model Management) modeling and artist management through The Empire Artists Management (TEAM) and events production.

Gaffud, together with other professionals in these fields, has assembled a team of experts to deliver a wide range of services in the fields of beauty, fashion, events and content creation.