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SLAY Model Search Asia crowns its first winner

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Stephanie Rose Manhit

Trans women from all over Asia went through rigorous training and mentorship in the hopes to be part of SLAY Models Asia, the world&#x27;s first trans-exclusive modeling agency based in Los Angeles, California, USA. They began with 24 hopefuls, and while all were truly deserving, one one reigned supreme for the SLAY Model Search Asia finale.The preliminaries were held last April 22, 2023 at Revel at the Palace. One of the many esteemed judges was singer-host Karylle. <div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2023/4/28/karylle-i-m-very-happy-to-live-in-a-time-when-many-doors-are-being-opened-for-people-1632">READ: Karylle Tatlonghari: “I’m very happy to live in a time when many doors are being opened for people”</a></div>The finals night was held last Thursday, April 27, 2023 at ABS-CBN Studio 10 and was streamed live via <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/">iWantTFC</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@abscbnentertainment">ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube Channel</a>. It was hosted by Cameron Scrase, a homegrown SLAY transman model, and Jervi “KaladKaren” Li, who herself has made history as the first transgender woman to win the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actress. Also present to give support to the women were their model-mentors Rain Batingana, Tyra Castillo, and Jasmine Basanes. These three women have thrived despite setbacks, and now choose to offer support and advice to those who follow in their footsteps. <div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2023/4/28/trans-woman-model-jasmine-basanes-says-slay-model-hunt-asia-is-not-a-pageant-1529">READ: Jasmine Basanes: “SLAY Model Hunt Asia is not a pageant”</a></div>The event began with Maymay Entrata singing BINI’s “Born To Win” as the 24 models were being introduced. A handful of special awards were also announced already, such as: <div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Best Editorial Model </div>Fellini Rose (Vietnam)<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"> </div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Best Runway Model</div>Risa Purisa (Thailand)<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"> </div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">SLAY Sisterhood Award</div>Mitch Ochosa (Philippines)<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"> </div>From the initial 24, their number was cut down to half. The list began with Tracey Dela Cruz from the Philippines, who garnered the greatest number of votes from the livestream app and was named Miss Bigo Live. Ten other candidates were called, plus Sauce Chulalakkul of Thailand, who was granted  “The Cece Save”. Top 12 Semi-Finalists (in the order they were called):Tracey Dela Cruz (Philippines)Nana Jantarat (Thailand)KC Cusi (Philippines)Vheny Aggreny (Indonesia)Louell Celis (Philippines)Drian Bautista (Philippines)Risa Purisa (Thailand)B Kanapat (Thailand)Abby Ecalnir (Philippines)Fellini Rose (Vietnam)Lauren Sanz (Philippines)Sauce Chulalakkul (Thailand)<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"> </div>Next up was the Head to Head Challenge, which again eliminated half the contestants. For this challenge, the models had to walk down the runway in pairs. They has to show that they were indeed “a showstopper, a model who can slay any runway” as they struck a pose in casual streetwear. For this Knockout Round, only six survived: Nana, KC, Louell, Risa, Abby, and Sauce. They then went on to the next leg: the Evening Gown Competition. All six girls walked down the runway donned in classy gowns by Terani Couture. The audience was also serenaded by Tarsier Records’ Sam Hashimoto, who sang “Before the Night Disappears”. It was a challenge for the jury to choose the night’s winner. This job fell on the shoulders of the panel, which included esteemed personalities: magazine editor and stylist Carole Cuasay Tagle; entrepreneur Richelle Bello-Casurao; Palanca award-winning writer Myrza Sison; multi-awarded celebrity photographer Jan Mayo; global cosmetic brand general manager Audrey Laglagaron; pageant producer and visual stylist Izza Dungca; multi-awarded Filipino designer Zarah Juan; Flux International President Queen Victoria Ortega; Dubai-based multi-awarded writer, magazine owner, and National Director for three franchises of the Miss Universe Organization Josh Yugen; entrepreneur Trisha Bantigue; host and award-winning filmmaker Dwight Allen O’Neal; and the unkabogable It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda.From the six contenders, only three moved forward to the last round. The Top 3 left were Sauce, Nana, and Abby, who made their final walk in glittering gold gowns.The judges were impressed with the performances of all the models, and didn’t hold back with their praises. Myrza, who was a model herself, admired how well the women carried themselves. “I can really see them on international runways,” she said. Carole lauded them for “representing themselves, changing the landscape, and living their dream”. Vice actually came straight from the airport, but didn’t want to miss being part of the event as it was important to her. “This kind of event, this kind of competition showcases the limitless talent and the beauty of our trans sisters,” she said. “As you said earlier, visibility and representation are both very, very important to the community. And hopefully this event opens limitless opportunities for the members of our community because all these girls are slaying...and they deserve a spot and a space to slay.” She continued to define what she felt it meant when a woman “slays”. “A woman slays when she is confident of herself, a woman slays when she believes in herself,” Vice stated. “Because being yourself is the easiest thing to do in this world.”Finally the night came to close, and the standing of the last three women were announced. The second runner-up was Sauce Chulalakkul from Thailand. Following her as first runner-up was Abby Ecalnir from the Philippines. Both women won a modelling contract worth ₱50,000 plus GlamLab beauty services worth ₱50,000 for a year. Meanwhile, the grand winner of SLAY Model Search Asia Nana Jantarat of Thailand brought home over a million’s worth of prizes, including a modeling contract worth ₱100,000, GlamLab beauty services worth ₱100,000 for a year, an exclusive ring worth ₱200,000, services from Belo worth ₱300,000, plus brand ambassadorship of two major brands. For those who missed the live coverage or want to watch it again, the finale of SLAY Model Search Asia  will be aired again on MYX this April 29 (Saturday), and on TFC, Metro, Kapamilya Online Live,and the Kapamilya Channel on April 30 (Sunday).

The first winner for SLAY Model Search Asia has been crowned. All hail, Nana Jantarat of Thailand!

The first winner for SLAY Model Search Asia has been crowned. All hail, Nana Jantarat of Thailand!

SLAY Model Search Asia crowns its first winner

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SLAY Model Search Asia crowns its first winner

Ann Manhit

Published Apr 28, 2023 10:54 PM PHT

Read More:

slay model management

slay model asia

Nana Jantarat

Sauce Chulalakkul

Abby Ecalnir

Vice ganda

myrza sison

carole tagle

Mitch Ochosa

Fellini Rose

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