‘Chinese by blood, global by heart’ chronicles MMCG pageant

More than a million ethnic Chinese live in the Philippines, and an estimated 27 percent of Filipinos trace their ancestry to Chinese roots. But the Chinese diaspora stretches far beyond the country’s borders.

CHiNOY TV’s latest documentary, Chinese by Blood, Global by Heart, turns its lens on this global community through the first-ever Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global (MMCG) pageant.

The film was shown in an exclusive screening on 7 June at the Red Carpet Cinema in Shangri-La Plaza, held in time with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China and the 15th year of CHiNOY TV.

Among those present were the six titleholders of MMCG 2025: Byron Sng of Malaysia and Khryss Nicole Go of the Philippines as Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global, respectively; Aragon Yu Lor (Philippines) and Juliette Louie (Hong Kong) as first runners-up; and Joseph Morris and Jenina Lui, both from Australia, as second runners-up.

From screening

to spotlight

The documentary is an adaptation of CHiNOY TV’s earlier lifestyle series Chinese by Blood, Filipino by Heart, which concluded its fifth season on One News in 2024. The 2025 docu special revisits the full timeline of the pageant — starting with its media launch in October 2024 and continuing through its cultural activities in Binondo and Baguio, stage segments on talent and traditional attire, and the final coronation at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts.

A total of 20 candidates, aged 18 to 30, joined the inaugural competition. Contestants came from at least seven locations: The Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and the United States. The documentary takes a closer look at how each participant interprets Chinese identity from a different national and cultural perspective.

Chinese by Blood, Global by Heart will have its public broadcast premiere on 29 June, at 8:30 p.m. on the Bilyonaryo News Channel (Free TV Channel 31, Cignal Channel 24, Converge Channel 74, and SkyCable Channel 33). New episodes will air every Sunday at 8:30 p.m., with replays on Saturdays at the same time.

New partnership

for future editions

The screening also included the formal signing of a partnership between CHiNOY TV and Virtual Playground Co., which will serve as the Philippine organizer for future Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global competitions. The second edition of the international pageant is scheduled for February 2026, to coincide with Chinese New Year.

At the contract signing, Charlie Dy, CEO of Virtual Playground Co., delivered this message:

“We’ve been working quietly behind the scenes for the past years — managing, supporting, learning, and building. And today, we’re honored to officially take the lead in bringing this project to even greater heights. Our vision is simple yet powerful: to celebrate genuine identity and recognize the need to carry with us not only beauty and brilliance, but also purpose and integrity.”

“We’re here not just to crown winners, but to build changemakers. We’re here to nurture talents who live with intellect, compassion and conviction,” he added.

Launch of Hua Magazine

Also introduced during the event was Hua Magazine, CHiNOY TV’s latest publication. The magazine focuses on the lives and experiences of Chinese communities overseas, with its debut issue centered on Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global.

The inaugural issue features behind-the-scenes coverage, exclusive interviews, and details about the design and production of the pageant’s crown and official regalia. It also includes profiles of the contestants, who share their thoughts on heritage, identity and community.

Through both its print and documentary efforts, CHiNOY TV aims to provide more context and visibility to a diaspora that often navigates both continuity and change — at home and abroad.