reporter King Perez of KBP-Cebu as Mr. Press Freedom 2014,Jean Marvette Demecillo of The Freeman as Miss Press Freedom 2014; Sun Star Cebu’s Princess Dawn Felicitas (1st runner-up),Richiel Chavez (2nd runner-up),John Destacamento of the Freeman (3rd runner-up) and KBP’s Mary Jan Tirador (3rd runner-up). (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
Glammed up in gowns and three-inch heels, escorted by young men in sharp suits, who could recognize them as beat reporters who chase stories daily or broadcasters on the airlanes?
The selection of the Mr. and Miss Press Freedom was a slice of fun for young journalists last night in The Social, the city’s newest cafe, bar and music hub at Ayala Center Cebu.
Jean Marvette Demecillo, City Hall reporter of The Freeman, won the crown as 2014 Miss Press Freedom. She succeeded her colleague at the same paper, reporter Jessa Marie Agua, who won the title the previous year.
TV 5 reporter King Anthony Perez, who represented the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, took the Mr. Press Freedom crown.
The pageant presented four pairs of candidates, who had to think on their feet and look cool because the criteria for success placed the biggest weight of 40 percent on “brains”, followed by beauty (30%) and poise (30%).
The panel of judges included Maki Gingoyon, Boboi Costas and Maria Gigante.
Cebu Daily News reporters Apple Taas (2nd runner-up) and Bjorn Tabanera (1st runner-up), swap jeans for a night of glamor (left). (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
Last night’s pageant kicked off the 20th celebration of Cebu Press Freedom Week.
Perez clinched the crown with his answer to the question: Does attending Mass every Sunday make you a good Catholic?
“Honestly, I do not go to Mass every Sunday,” he said,”but what makes a good Catholic or even a good person perhaps is doing good deeds. That’s why I chose journalism as a profession. I want to serve people through my writing and analytical skills.”
The audience who were mostly members of Cebu’s media community cheered their approval.
Demecillo, who stood out in a red gown, was asked by judge Boboi Costas what change she wanted to see in the present generation. Her answer: The responsible use of social media.
First runner-up was Cebu Daily News’ Bjorn Tabanera and Sun Star Cebu’s Princess Dawn Felicitas.
Second runner-up was Richiel Chavez of Sun.Star Cebu and Apple Ta-as of CDN.
Third runner-up was Mary Jan Tirador of the KBP and John Desracamento of The Freeman.
Prizes were given by sponsors Sun Cellular, Robinsons, JG Summit, Cebu Pacific and OLX.