SIX years since its inception, Barangay Gwapo has become an integral part of the Higalaay Festival in Cagayan de Oro, as anticipated as the street parades, rave parties and the city beauty pageant. Finding talented, handsome boys from the grassroots is a unique contest that originated in the bustling city, and is the brainchild of Donna Ocampo, the ABS-CBN head honcho in Northern Mindanao.
“Since we could not do Miss Cagayan, we decided to do Barangay Gwapo instead . It was also closer to our target market, and we know we will have more creative control over it. Why Gwapos instead of Gwapas? Because we noticed there were already more opportunities for girls to experience pageants than there were for boys,” Ocampo explains.
The five winners of Barangay Gwapo have to be present in all ABS-CBN events to serve as performers or hosts. It is also their duty and responsibility to be the one to speak for and to their peers about things that matter to them. Last year’s batch was encouraged to campaign for HIV awareness, and to credibly do so, they had to submit themselves to an HIV test.
“For us, public service is not only limited to feeding programs and medical missions. Being able to give the best entertainment is in itself doing service to the public. And we do just that with Barangay Gwapo. Of course, advertising sales comes in as a big bonus to the efforts. Plus the opportunity to discover new talents is always there,” Ocampo says.
It’s important that the Gwapos should come up with a public-service project before their reign ends. 2015 Barangay Gwapo runners-up Donelle Gonzalez and Eric Clint Basalo conducted a dance-clinic workshop for indigent kids, while 2013 Grand Winner PJ Pagalan did a basketball clinic.
“Winning Barangay Gwapo helped me boost my self-esteem and confidence. I learned to face things I feared. It opened a lot of doors for me. It became my training ground in carrying myself in any situation, especially in dealing with different kinds of people. It made me realize my self-worth and that I can be more than what I was before. It is a wonderful experience that I’ll cherish until my old age,” a grateful Pagalan says.
The Gwapos benefit from the trainings, workshops and hosting gigs in the local MagTV show that the network gives them. “We are proud of those who really committed their time with us, trusting our management and decisions, and they really tried to make themselves better than who they were when they auditioned. It cannot be based on what stature one is in now, but more of what he has become after his reign. Some have landed good jobs, while some are still trying to finish school. We can only hope that we have contributed to whatever success they have become,” shares Ocampo, also the Gwapos’ mother hen.
“As the one who is taking care of us, Ms. Donna is fair, caring and loving. She is someone that helped me to change for the better. She accepts the different personalities of the Gwapos and tries to understand our mischievousness,” says Luis Banaag III, the 2015 grand winner. “Ma’am Donna is trustworthy. She will always stick by your side in times of need and won’t sell you out for anything; she’s someone who will be there for the good times and the bad. She has taught me to always try my best, and to not give up when things get hard. She has taught me the significance of self-respect. She’s one of the greatest influences in my life not only as a manager, but also as a friend.”
THE WINNERS
In a kinetic and highly entertaining 1980s-themed “Gabi ng mga Gwapo” finals night at the LimKetKai Atrium, of which yours truly served as one of the judges, five new Gwapos were announced.
John Willy Biwang, 18, “Ang Gwapong Sporty ng Barangay Carmen,” emerged as this year’s grand winner. He is a senior high-school student at Liceo de Cagayan University: “I’m happy that someone from my barangay finally won. Carmen was the only barangay which held its own contest to select its rep, and I’m proud that I won the grand finals despite having strong contenders, like some returnees. I will invest my prize money into a piggery and into expanding my PisoNet business.”
Gerald Anthony Blakemore Jr., 18, “Ang Mistisong Gwapo ng Barangay Bug-ong, Camiguin,” is a Liceo electrical engineering freshman. “I was very shocked when I was declared first runner-up because I didn’t even win any special awards,” says the still-astonished half-British lad, who’s pushing for his antibullying advocacy.
Dominic Sabornido, 20, “Ang Pilyong Gwapo ng Barangay Canitoan,” is the second runner-up. He studied BA Marketing at Liceo and is a champion swimmer of the Palarong Pambasa competitive level. “I joined again because I had to show people, especially the nonbelievers, that I deserve to be among the winners. Two years ago, I was immature. I decided I had to grow up, and I think ABS-CBN saw my improvement.”
Eljohn Taguba, 18, “Ang Gwapong Charming ng Barangay 17,” studied electrical engineering at Bukidnon State University. “I observed the pageant for a couple years until I had enough guts to audition. Being one of the winners built up my confidence and my courage to face people in public.”
Jess Rodrigo Chua, 17, “Ang Gwapong Cool ng Barangay 29,” is one of 24 children of retired action star Rhene Imperial, and it’s evident in his chinito good looks. “I plan to study business administration at Mindanao University of Science and Technology, so I can learn how to run a bar and produce rave parties.”
THE GOAL
Only Northern Mindanao has a concept like the Barangay Gwapo contest. Its continued success in the region has proved its entertainment value, local pop-culture importance and business viability.
“Now we are setting our sights on bigger things to achieve for the Gwapos, maybe a national exposure or competition,” the energetic Ocampo says. “One of this year’s judges has challenged us to put the Gwapos in the national scene, because doing so will also put our city in the spotlight. And that should be the goal.”