NCR takes both crowns: Manila and Quezon City bets win first-ever Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Global Philippines
It was an NCR sweep at the Met.
At the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila, two National Capital Region bets took home the top titles in the inaugural winners night of Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Global Philippines 2026. Ben Siao of Manila and Maria Yna Angela Uy of Quezon City were hailed as the first-ever Chinoy stars.
The coronation was held Tuesday night, October 20, with Robbie Jaworski, Tim Laude, and the pageant’s creative director Janeena Chan herself holding the hosting reins. Think full production — beauty, brains, and that hard-to-define star factor, all in one show.
Siao and Uy didn’t just impress the jury; they also had the audience. Siao pulled a haul of special awards on his way to the crown — Mr. Century Park Hotel Manila, Mr. Gibi Shoes, Best in Cultural Wear, and Best in Formal Wear. Uy was equally dominant, bagging Ms. John Hay, Ms. Luftonic, Queen of Mags 2026, and Best in Cultural Wear.
Completing the inaugural cour were: first runners-up Jyron Chrisler Ngo (Manila) and Izobel Uy (Cebu City), and second runners-up Jay Chan II (Cebu City) and Jamaica Co (Pasig City).
Chan, who steered the creative direction for this first edition, said this was always meant to be more than a rebrand.
“The Chinatown pageant brand was built by the very people behind the new Chinatown Global. They bring with them the same experience, expertise, and values that shaped its success, now with a bigger vision and a global stage,” she said in an exclusive interview.
“Expect Chinatown Global to be an elevated evolution of what they successfully built years ago — stronger, more ambitious, and guided by the same passion and commitment to excellence.”
For its inaugural year, they went national for the first time. Over 2,000 applicants screened across key cities nationwide, trimmed down to 26 finalists — 11 males and 15 females.
Chan said the brief was clear from day one.
“Through a rigorous series of screenings, we went beyond physical beauty — which was already a given — to discover individuals with exceptional talent, personality, charisma, and that undeniable X-factor,” she said.
“Our goal was clear: to find not just the next Chinatown titleholders, but the next generation of stars.
“We take a holistic approach to discovering individuals who have the potential to become the next big stars, the confidence and character to represent the Philippines on the global stage, and the heart to carry forward a legacy rooted in community, service, and meaningful impact.”
The inaugural search was made possible by ABS-CBN’s Star Magic/Star Hunt, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., SM Supermalls, City of Manila, Megaworld Hotels, and more.