Macau SAR -  The Philippine Consulate General in Macau reported that it held its first search forFilipina Fashion Model of the Year in Macau on August 7, 2011 at theMacau Fisherman’s Wharf Convention and Exhibition Center. The event helped to showcase traditional ternos (gowns) and ethnic dresses representing different regions in the Philippines. 

The event not only featured the Filipina beauty through its fifteen female models who were OFWs in Macau, but also Philippine culture and artistry particularly in the field of fashion design, folk dances, and music. 

The cultural show was attended by hundreds of Filipinos and graced by notable executives from the hotel industry, some members of the Macau government and foreign Consulates. One major local television company, TVB, featured the event in its morning news program, while various English, Portuguese, and Chinese newspapers ran stories and photos of the event. 

The program which lasted for almost three hours, was actively participated in by the Filipino community in Macau who contributed their resources and talents for its success, including cultural presentations such as the sinulog, subli, singkil and various dances from the Cordillera region. Filipino organizations also shared in providing ethnic costumes of the majority of the model contestants, and Filipino singers working in various hotels in Macau provided entertainment with their powerful renditions of classic Filipino songs. 

One of the highlights of the program was the Filipiniana attire category where different versions of the Philippine terno, designed by fashion designer Arnel Pineda from Pampanga, were modeled by the contestants while original Filipino songs played in the background. 

The title “Miss Filipina Fashion Model of the Year, Macau 2011” was awarded to Ms. Merrily Samios Uy. First Runner-up to the title was Ms. Maria Angelica Hilado, second runner-up was Ms. Inah Marie Quejano, and third runner-up was Ms. Paulette Quinto. Ms. Angelica Hilado also bagged the special awards for Best in Ethnic Attireand Miss Photogenic, while Ms. Paulette Quinto was adjudged the Best in Philippine Terno. 

The Search was a joint project of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Filipino Community and the Philippine Consulate General, with the aim of bringing together Macau-based Filipinos in an activity that would serve to demonstrate the Filipino spirit of “bayanihan” (cooperation and unity), exhibit their talent and creativity, and create awareness of the Filipino community’s important contribution to the economic and cultural vibrancy of Macau.