JUNJET PRIMOR: The Pageant Guru
by Ariel A. Allera
January 14, 2004
AS A WRITER cum makeup artist myself, I have witnessed quite a few beauty pageants not only here in Cebu, but also (extensively) outside. And being one who also directs the same, I not only beautify or coach my candidates in the dressing room, or take note of details for my article, but also overlook the production flow, hoping to learn more about the modes of choreography.
Even as I watch televised pageants, both national and international, I see to it that I keep tabs, so that these will give me more ideas.
Last year’s Miss Cebu was the grandest I have seen. The overall production kept popping my eyes and stirring my imagination until I awakened into the reality that I wasn’t in Trinidad and Tobago witnessing the coronation night of Miss Universe 1999. No less than the reigning Miss Earth that time, Dzejla Glavovich, told me during our dinner two nights after that this has been the most spectacular pageantry she has ever seen in all her travels.
Don’t you think it’s an honor for us Cebuanos that we are able to come up with such a world-class staging of a local beauty contest? And it just goes without saying that we owe it to the brain conceptualizing all this glitz, glamour, and the footlights.
I’m talking about Patricio “Junjet” Primor.
I chanced upon him while having rehearsals for this year’s Miss Cebu to be held tomorrow night, January 15, at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Though being esteemed as one of the most sought after and highest paid pageant directors in the country today, Junjet has remained simple and humble, unaffected and unaware of his fame.
Q: How long have you been directing beauty pageants?
A: I started in the early 1980s, so I’ve been doing this for almost two decades already.
Q: What was your very first directorial job and how was it for a first-timer like you?
A: I was a Civil Engineering student of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (Junjet is now a licensed civil engineer) then when I started directing pageants. I remember it was a departmental contest in our school and, of course, for a first-timer like me, it was nothing really serious. All purely for fun!
Q: Tell me about your first big pageant.
A: My first big pageant was Miss Cebu Tourism 1992. I was not yet directing, but choreographing the fashion side of it. And then I eventually started directing it since then.
Q: What lured you into directing pageants?
A: Love for the Arts. I consider directing pageants as an art.
Q: As director, do you follow local and international beauty pageants on T.V. like a fanatic?
A: Not really as a fanatic. But I do watch these pageants because it’s one way of updating myself with the latest style and approach in terms of presenting a production.
Q: We have three major national pageants here: Binibining Pilipinas, Mutya ng Pilipinas, and Miss Philippines. Which to you is the most striking to watch in terms of choreography or production?
A: I would say all of them, because each has its own style and concept.
Q: Given the chance, which would you want to direct among them?
A: Of course, Binibining Pilipinas, because the winners will represent our country to the three most prestigious international pageants: the Miss Universe, the Miss World, and the Miss International. In a way, it will also give me the honor of being part of them.
Q: Among the international ones, which do you personally hold in highest esteem? Kindly differentiate.
A: Miss Universe should be my first choice of preference because of the fact that not only is it the most eminent beauty pageant, but also because of their concept of changing venues year after year, which promotes the culture of the country hosting. Likewise, I also find it exciting to see the host country’s native approach in production and presentation. On the other hand, the Miss World Organization is also beginning to travel regularly again, after having done so several years ago. And I heard Miss International is also going to other places.
Q: Is there any international celebrity host you wish to invite to emcee your pageant?
A: Nobody in particular, because our local hosts can do the job just as well and they are easier to work with.
Q: Who among the international titleholders do you admire most and why?
A: I’m specially all praises to our very own Miss Universe (1973) Margarita Moran-Floreindo. Until now, she’s able to maintain her fresh looks and her reputation for being a good mother and wife. I also find it admirable of a former beauty queen to be active in socio-civic organizations.
Q: How about staging Miss Cebu in another country?
A: Actually, it has happened already. If I’m not mistaken, the proclamation and coronation of winners in 1987 was held in Australia, and in 1986 they had their finals in Hong Kong. Of course, the selection of the finalists was done here in Cebu. Given another chance, I would like it held in either Hawaii or the Netherlands, particularly in cities like Honolulu and Halimemer, because they are our sister cities.
Q: As director, do you pay special attention to one particular aspect in a show like Miss Cebu? For example, the lighting...
A: I’m very meticulous about the whole production—from stage design to music, lights, performers, costumes and all because I believe that all will only amount to nothing if one is not there.
Q: What is the hardest part of directing?
A: It has to be the set-up. You know, if the physical preparation does not get done on time, the whole production will suffer.
Q: How do you usually celebrate after the show?
A: I usually go out with my staff and crew and we have bottles of beer. We talk about what just happened earlier, with special mention of the winner, like we usually have personal bets and sometimes they don’t end up winners.
Q: Any words of encouragement for young people out there who wish to venture into directing beauty pageants?
A: Believe in yourself, don’t be afraid to try new ideas, and keep your feet on the ground.
City council declares Arroyo adopted daughter of Cebu
Thursday, February 09, 2006
On mass motion yesterday, the Cebu City Council declared President Arroyo an adopted daughter of Cebu, a title that will be conferred on her during the Charter Day celebration.
The council passed two separate resolutions recognizing the efforts and contributions of the President and 20 other individuals and companies to the development of the city.
They also approved the conferment of the Rajah Humabon Lifetime Achievement Award to Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.
Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will be one of the recipients of the mayor’s special awards.
In a resolution, Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem proposed to make President Arroyo an adopted daughter for her unwavering faith and support for Cebuanos and for the projects she gave the city.
“Cebuanos appreciate President GMA’s commendable effort in achieving economic growth, which generated decent job opportunities in Cebu as well as the neighboring provinces, despite the unrelenting oil price increases and unceasing attempts to cause political unrest,” he said.
The council approved the resolution on mass motion during their session yesterday.
The councilors also said the award would show that “the people of Cebu believe in the political leadership and will of the President, as manifested by almost a million Cebuanos who legitimately voted for her in the 2004 elections.”
Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced earlier that the City will have to adjust to the President’s schedule and hold the Charter Day program and awarding ceremony two days earlier.
In a separate resolution, the council also approved the conferment of special awards for outstanding institutions and individuals.
The awardees for outstanding institutions are Gawad Kalinga, University of San Carlos Dance Troupe, Rotary Club of Cebu-Fuente, SM Foundation Inc., Aboitiz Shipping Company and radio dyAB Abante Bisaya.
Outstanding individual awardees are Dr. Annette Salila (medicine), Engr. Patricio “Junjet” Primor Jr. (arts and culture), Edward Dampor Sr. (science and technology) and City Hall consultant on education Joy Augustus Young (public service).
For successfully organizing the Sinulog, Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros will receive the Mayor’s Special Award, along with choreographer Victor Cuenco and Cebu Pacific Airlines.
Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau Chief Pablo Labra II, National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Medardo de Lemos and Crisaldo Rendon will also get the same award. (LCR)
Cebu's valuable pearls
By Jaime Picornell
Inquirer
First Posted 00:37am (Mla time) 04/08/2007
MANILA, Philippines - Cebu's Philippines Foundation held the 20th Annual Perlas Awards for Valuable Filipinos at Theater One of SM City. Foundation president Rev. Fr. Ernesto Javier, SJ, presided over the ceremonies.
In his welcome remarks, Fr. Javier said the awards were given for exemplary conduct, excellence in profession, and many other qualities that made the awardees valuable and outstanding members of the community. Recipients are people from all walks of life, disciplines and professions, as well as institutions.
This year's awardees, announced by Milagros Espina, Ph.D., a past president of the foundation, were Brenda Saliendra, excellence and dedication in the secretarial profession; Patricio "Junjet" Primor, show choreographer of the first magnitude; fashion czar of the south Philip Rodriguez; and pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria, for music and many other things.
The volunteer organization C-Cimpel, which guards the sanctity of ballot boxes, got a special citation for outstanding leadership. Bishop Julito Cortes and Marilou Briones Chiongbian led the group on stage.
A special citation was given to "The Cebuanos" for their collective effort during the recent Asean Summit.
Ingrid, responding for the recipients, did it with music. The Arts Council's grand piano was brought in and she performed Romanze, the second movement - molto allegro e vivace - of Mendelsohnn's Concerto No. 1 in G minor.
The orchestral accompaniment was arranged by professor Jeffrey Pilares for the String Quartet of the Peace Philharmonic of the Philippines (PPP): March Hamlet Mercado and Christine Ybañez, first and second violins; Franz Lanzaderas, viola; and Jibbie Rose Reyes, cello.
"Same time, next year," said Fr. Javier to Marissa Fernan, foundation vice president and greatly instrumental in this event as SM Cebu's lady high-everything-else.
The Philippines Foundation has eminent personalities in its board and roster of members. Cardinal Ricardo Vidal is a hands-on spiritual adviser. Honorary chair is Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, now undersecretary of Foreign Affairs.
Other officers are executive VP Efren Valiente, secretary Dr. Lourdes Jereza, treasurers Tess Chan and Elvira Luym (this year's program hostess), auditor John Domingo, legal counsel Merle Cunanan, and PRO Nelia Neri.
Directors are Ver de la Cerna, Pilar Cusi, Sabino Dapat, Petite Garcia, Michael Go, Dr. Ester Velasquez, and past presidents Ben Yapjoco, Enrique Benedictor, Nestor Chua, Hernan Streegan, Joseph Gaisano, Antonio Veloso, and Mila Espina.
Members include civic leaders Clarito Fruelda, lawyer Manuel Go, Beling Go Ching Hai, Bunny Pages, Anita Sanchez, Dr. Montana Saniel, Veneranda Cinco-Sy, Stella Bernabe, Filna Espina, Mariter Klepp and Francis Monera, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Surprise awardee, opposition presence highlight governor’s anniversary ball
Monday, August 06, 2007
By Minerva B. Gerodias
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
AS the Province of Cebu celebrates its 438th founding anniversary, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia raised the challenge of “taking this experiment in unity to greater heights.”
Her administration also paid tribute to outstanding Cebuanos, an election watchdog and the lead organizer of the Asean summits held in Cebu.
“Our responsibility for our province’s future is to see to it that Cebu finds its proper place in the national and international stage, the horizon that is made clear by our strong and vibrant present,” Garcia said in her speech last night at the Capitol social hall.
Cebu has survived the challenges of war, famine, calamities both natural and man-made and “the blind persistence of human greed and ambition,” the governor said.
“We stayed as one and not just stayed, we fought with all the might of our forebears the forces that would divide us,” she said.
Arguably the most prominent political threat of Garcia’s first term from 2004-2007 were the bills to divide Cebu into four provinces, as proposed by then-legislators Antonio Yapha, Clavel Martinez and Simeon Kintanar. (Yapha and Martinez have since lost their bids for governor and vice governor, respectively, in the May 14 elections. Kintanar did not seek office.)
But Garcia pointed out that while 438 years of “an experiment in unity” has made Cebu as “the number one province in the entire country,” it is also the Cebuano’s responsibility to guard it from all threats and “to give substance to the hopes and inspirations which underpin it.”
As part of last night’s celebration, the Province of Cebu recognized five Cebuanos for excellence in their fields, by giving them the “Garbo sa Sugbo” awards.
The surprise awardee was Patricio “Junjet” Primor, director of last night’s event. He was so shocked that he was one of the awardees that he only managed to put on his barong when his name was called and was still fixing the buttons while walking to the stage.
Capitol announced only four of the awardees earlier in the week: Nicolas Pacaña, world-renowned ballet dancer; Steve Benitez, the entrepreneur behind the Bo’s Coffee chain; the University of the Philippines High School for garnering honors for two consecutive years in the International Cyberfair Competition in San Diego, California; and lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr. for his contributions in environmental conservation and legislation.
The Capitol only announced the fifth awardee, Primor, during last night’s show.
Given the Governor’s Citation was the Cebu-Citizens’ Involvement and Maturation in People’s Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel) and Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr.
C-Cimpel was recognized for its contribution in the May 14 elections, when its volunteers monitored the precincts, assisted voters and conducted a parallel count of election results. It was C-Cimpel’s copies of the election returns (ER) that the
Commission on Elections relied on, after finding that 15 of the ERs from Bogo town were fake.
Paynor was recognized for his leadership in the hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cebu last January and for “his faith in the Cebuano spirit.” The ambassador served as chairman of the summit’s national organizing committee.
Last night’s event was attended by the Provincial Board members, mayors, businessmen and other leaders from the different sectors.
Opposition mayors like Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, Toledo City Mayor Arlene Zambo, Consolacion’s Avelino Gungob and Tuburan’s Constancio Suezo were also among those who attended. (MBG)
'GARBO SA SUGBO' HONORS CEBU DYNAMIC LEADERS
MANILA, NOVEMBER 22, 2007 (STAR) C‘EST CEBU By Honey Jarque Loop - Four dynamic and passionate Cebuanos, and a well-respected and most admired institution, all of whom have relentlessly set and pursued lofty goals, which laid the framework for the economic and cultural development of the island, were recently recognized and honored by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia during the annual Garbo sa Sugbo (Pride of Cebu) awarding ceremony at the majestic ballroom of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
This year’s awardees include:
• Antonio Oposa Jr., an environmentalist, who was praised for his pioneering practice of environmental law in the country. The head of the Visayan Sea Squadron and Law Nature Foundation, he made it to the United Nation’s Environmental Program Global 500 Roll of Honor for his dedicated efforts.
• Steve Benitez was awarded for bringing Cebuano ingenuity and entrepreneurial energy into the realm of the coffee drinking industry. Benitez, owner of Bo’s Coffee, started his business 11 years ago at the Ayala Center in Cebu, and today has expanded to 33 coffee shops nationwide.
• Nicolas Pacaña, acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical dancers, is today the only Filipino who has served as co-artistic director of the Atlanta Festival Ballet and the Festival Ballet School in Stockbridge, Georgia, USA.
• Patricio Primor for his unparalleled talent and skill as Cebu’s premier director and choreographer in the promotion of culture and heritage of Cebu. Today, he is the creative director of the Cebu Performing Arts.
• The University of the Philippine High School-Cebu Campus fourth year students were recognized for winning in the International Schools Cyberfair Competition held in San Diego, California, USA last year. Their design “Calles de Cebu; Gateway to a Nation’s History,” won second place and received the gold in the historical landmarks category.
The Governor’s special citation awards went to Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. for his unwavering belief in the strong and indomitable spirit of the Cebuano people and for spearheading the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, which was a resounding success, a sterling achievement.
The Cebu Citizens Involvement and Maturation in People’s Empowerment and Liberation (C Cimpel) was acknowledged for the courage of these volunteers in ensuring the inviolability of the ballots and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
Lending support and assistance to the Governor’s event were government officials led by Vice Governor Greg Sanchez; board member Agnes Magpale; former Cebu Governor Pablo Garcia and his wife Esperanza; philanthropists Michel and Amparito Lhuillier; and Mariquita Yeung; Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Frank Benedicto and his wife Leontina, who is Honorary Consul of Turkey; Honorary Consul of Spain Jaime Picornell; and Honorary Consul of Belgium Enrique Benedicto.
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