ARISE THE PHOENIX!

Another year has passed and a new King has been crowned. For the past 7 years, we at the Hari ng Negros Organization and the Canlaon City Tourism Council have had the honor to work with and meet some of the most incredible and talented people on this great island. We were inspired to continue this tradition despite the many obstacles and challenges we have encountered. And for this we thank everyone who has shared a part of their lives with us - the judges, candidates, managers, choreographers, dancers, entertainers, advisers, volunteers and of course the fans.

We chose this year's theme, "Arise the Phoenix" for many reasons. First, we wanted to go back to the basics and give Hari ng Negros a more mythological meaning. One based on the legends and stories of Kanlaon Volcano and its importance in the balance of power and nature. Second, we wanted Hari ng Negros to be not just an ordinary pageant but a competition where brotherhood and the pursuit of academic excellence is the core foundation. And lastly we wanted to show the world the raw talent of the Negrense - in the arts, music and fashion.

With this said, we hope you enjoy the pics of this year's competition.

PREMLIMINARY INTERVIEW

We believe that the judges should get to know personally each candidate before they go on stage. At times, what they see is different from whom they really are. It is only fair for each candidate to get to know who the judges are and to try to convince them why he should be the next Hari ng Negros.

The candidates are all set for the preliminary interviews done at the Canlaon City Pension House multi purpose hall. Each candidate is given 3 minutes with each judge.

Miss Earth 2008, Karla Paula Henry interviewing Prince of Talisay 2009 Ferdinand San Felix.

Prince of Escalante 2009 Kurt Agbay being interviewed.


OPENING PRODUCTION NUMBER AND TRIBAL COMPETITION

Hari ng Negros 2008 Ralph Jadraque backstage preparing for the Opening Production.

Fire blowers of La Castellana, Tribal Dancers of Canlaon City and Air Dancers from San Carlos City set the tone for the opening production while the La Carlota Drumbeaters and a new addition this year, the Dumaguete Drumbeaters provide the live tribal music.

First to come out in their tribal costumes are the candidates from Negros Occidental.

Not to be outdone, the Negros Oriental candidates come out to strut their stuff.

Then the all the candidates come together in a spectacular production.

Hari ng Negros 2008 Ralph Jadraque and his royal court, Crown Prince of Negros, Joseph Hornido and Duke of Negros, Stalin Lescano in "Phoenix" attire officially open the competition.

The Royals of 2008 walking down the ramp with fire and a crowd filled with applause welcoming them back to Canlaon.

The self introduction of the candidates starts with the Prince of Talisay, Ferdinand San Felix.

Jay-R Gandola of Dumaguete City

Ghieno Canete of Guihulngan City

Aljun Tauban of Canlaon City

Vincent Calapati of Calatrava

Mark Abrasaldo of Tanjay City

Rami Gallego of Pamplona

Kirby Abrasaldo of Bayawan City

Conan Ayuda of Bais City

Carl Cambel of Sibulan

Jesse Ceniza of Vallehermoso

Chris Oneil of Santa Catalina

Joshua Imperial of Victorias City

Rhamric Simpron of San Carlos City

Arnold Pabon of La Carlota City

Arnel Goza of Pulupandan

Mark Gargoles of La Libertad

Jeffrey Dawa of Valladolid

Keane Camat of San Jose

Charles Anito of Bacolod City

and Melrick Calijan of Bindoy

After the self introduction of all the candidates, the production ends with Hari ng Negros 2008 Ralph Jadraque rising in the background.

THE FORMAL WEAR COMPETITION

This year we decided to have traditional barongs as the concept. No more multi colored, painted barongs with accessories. Just simple, back to the basics.

Ferdinand San Felix of Talisay City

Jay-R Gandola of Dumaguete City

Kurt Agbay of Escalante City

Aljun Tauban of Canlaon City

Vincent Calapati of Calatrava

Mark Abrasaldo of Tanjay City

Rami Gallego of Pamplona

Kirby Abrasaldo of Bayawan City

Prince Perez of Pontevedra

Conan Ayuda of Bais City

Carl Kambel of Sibulan

Jesse Ceniza of Vallehermoso

Chris Oneil of Santa Catalina

Joshua Imperial of Victorias City

Ramric Simpron of San Carlos City

Arnold Pabon of La Carlota City

Arvin Goza of Pulupandan

Jeff Dawa of Valladolid

Keane Camat of San Jose

Charles Anito of Bacolod City

Melrick Calijan of Bindoy


THE STREETWEAR COMPETITION

Another incredible dance production number kicked off the streetwear competition.

Ferdinand San Felix of Talisay City

Ghieno Canete of Guihulngan

Kurt Agbay of Escalante City

Rami Gallego of Pamplona

Kirby Abrasaldo of Bayawan City

Conan Ayuda of Bais City

Carl Kambel of Sibulan

Jesse Ceniza of Vallehermoso

Joshua Imperial of Victorias City

Jimrey Jayme of Jimalalud

Rhamric Simpron of San Carlos City

Mark Gargoles of La Libertad

Jeffrey Dawa of Valladolid

Keane Camat of San Jose

THE SWIMWEAR COMPETITION

This year's swimwear competition started off with each candidate coming out from backstage surrounded by some of the most sexiest girls of Negros.

Talisay City all smiles after the encounter.

Dumaguete City showing his posing skills.

Guihulngan walking the walk.

Escalante City showing his Bench prowess.

Canlaon City smiling for the hometown crowd.

Tanjay City

Pamplona

Bayawan City

Bais City

Vallehermoso

Santa Catalina

Victorias City

San Carlos City

La Carlota City

Valladolid

La Libertad

San Jose

Bacolod City

Bindoy

Candidates all together in the swimwear finale.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF TOP 10, T0P 5 and TOP 3

The Top 10 are composed of the 9 highest ranked in the preliminary competition plus the winner of the Wild Card Challenge. The Top 10 are then asked questioned from the Board of Judges.

The Top 5 are composed of the 4 highest ranked in the Judges Question round and the winner of the GCash. The Top 5 are then asked questioned from fellow candidates in the Top 5.

The determination of the Top 3 are the 3 highest ranked in the Top 5 Candidates Question round. The judges will then determine who will be the Duke, Crown Prince and Hari ng Negros based on their overall performance throughout the competition.

Rami Gallego of Pamplona with two of the evening's beautiful hosts Nicole Calumpang and Shekina Lasola.

Jay-ar Gandola of Dumaguete City

Jesse Ceniza of Vallehermoso

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP 2009 AWARDEES

An anonymous donor based in Washington D.C. has decided to award this year The HOPE Scholarship to outstanding participants of Hari ng Negros. The full scholarship covers the cost of tuition fees, books, and allowances each semester until the recipient finishes the degree. Funding will only continue each semester if the recipient maintains a minimum GPA of 1.75 or higher each semester. Recipient of the award may choose his field of study at Bachelor’s, Master’s, or
Ph.D. level.

Each candidate was given a 30 minute online video interview via Skype or Yahoo Messenger to a panel composed of consultants and dignitaries from the United Nations.

Based on the interview the panel chose this year's Hari ng Negros HOPE Scholars:

BAIS CITY (Conan Ayuda)
TANJAY CITY (Mark Abrasaldo)
LA LIBERTAD (Mark Gargoles)
SAN CARLOS CITY (Rhamric Simpron)
PAMPLONA (Rami Gallego)
SANTA CATALINA (Chris Oneil)
BACOLOD CITY (Charles Anito)
BINDOY (Melrick Calijan)

THE ANNOUCEMENT OF THE WINNERS

The Hari ng Negros 2008 Royal Court in their final walk.

Melrick Calijan of Bindoy is announced Hari ng Negros 2009. Miss Earth Karla Henry hugs and kisses Melrick.

Hari ng Negros 2009 Melrick Calijan with Chairman of the Board of Judges Dir. Maryo J. de los Reyes and Miss Earth.

Melrick in his first walk as Hari ng Negros.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

HARI NG NEGROS 2009 - Melrick Calijan of Bindoy
CROWN PRINCE OF NEGROS - Mark Gargoles of La Libertad
DUKE OF NEGROS - Rhamric Simpron of San Carlos City

TOP 5

Jay-ar Gandola of Dumaguete City
Ferdinand San Felix of Talisay City

TOP 10

Rami Gallego of Pamplona
Jesse Ceniza of Vallehermoso
Vincent Calapati of Calatrava
Aljun Tauban of Canlaon City
Conan Ayuda of Bais City

SPECIAL AWARDS

Prince of Friendship (Arnold Pabon of La Carlota City)
Prince of Professionalism (Kirby Abrasaldo of Bayawan City)
Photogenic Prince (Kurt Agbay of Escalante City)
Best in Body Paint Interpretation (Jesse Ceniza of Vallehermoso)

CORPORATE AWARDS

Commercial Model of the Year (Rhamric Simpron of San Carlos City)
Ramp Model of the Year (Mark Gargoles of La Libertad)
Print Model of the Year (Conan Ayuda of Bais City)
Model Discovery of the Year (Rami Gallego of Pamplona)

MINOR AWARDS

BEST IN INTERVIEW (Mark Gargoles of La Libertad)
BEST IN TRIBAL COSTUME (Ferdinand San Felix of Talisay City)
BEST IN FORMAL WEAR (Ferdinand San Felix of Talisay City)
BEST IN STREET WEAR (Ferdinand San Felix of Talisay City)
BEST IN SWIM WEAR (Mark Gargoles of La Libertad)

So thus begins a new chapter in the life of a Negros King.
May all the blessings and hope of an island filled with promise be with you always, Melrick.

Proud to be a Negrense. Forever Hari ng Negros.