Wilbert Ting Tolentino (born May 18, 1975) is a Filipino entrepreneur, restaurateur, philanthropist and a vlogger. Tolentino owns bars, a spas, restaurants and trading business.
Wilbert Tolentino | |
|---|---|
| Born | Wilbert Ting Tolentino May 18, 1975 Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | first Mr. Gay World Philippines, Youtube Vlogger, entrepreneur |
| Notable work | Mr. Gay World Philippines |
| Children | 2[1][2] |
He is a beauty pageant producer.[1][2][3][4][5] He regularly serves as a judge for other beauty pageants like Miss Earth 2018 in November, and Miss Asia Pacific International 2017.[6][7] Tolentino founded and produced several pageants and competitions: Miss F Universe, Mr. Fahrenheit/Mr. Gay World Philippines, Miss Earth Fahrenheit & Fahrenheit Look of the Year.[8]
He earned the first Mr. Gay World Philippines in 2009, and competed for Mr. Gay World 2009 in Whistler, Canada. Tolentino is an LGBTQ advocate awarded as one of Philippine's “Outstanding Men and Women“ of 2019.[1][2][9][10][11] Tolentino was the first openly gay Filipino man to compete in an international pageant.[8] He went on to compete in Mr Gay World winning Mr. Gay Popularity and Best in National Costume in 2009.[12] As of September 2016, he is the national director of MGWF.[13] In March 2019, Tolentino received a special award at the “Phenomenal Stars of Philippine Cinema” event, Global Entrepreneur of the Year.[14] He serves on the Quezon City Pride Council.[8]
In recognition of frontline health workers he is starting a reality show competition to reward cash prizes.[2][15] In September 2020, he started a virtual pageant, Miss GCQ or Miss Gandang Contesera Quest, to support pageant contestants until a regular season resumes.[3]
Early and personal life
editWilbert Ting Tolentino was born in Binondo, Manila with Chinese-Filipino parents. He is a businessman and owner of Fahrenheit Cafe & Fitness Center[16] or F Philippines, a gay membership club situated in the main street of Quezon City, and he runs various health spas. Tolentino is one of the board of directors of Quezon City Pride Council that promotes HIV/AIDS awareness to LGBT community. Tolentino studied at Lorenzo Ruiz Academy in Manila's Chinatown center and continued his college years at University of Santo Tomas for few units.
In My Puhunan: Kaya Mo!, Tolentino revealed to Karen Davila that he ventured into different businesses. As restaurateur, he opened in January 2023 a Japanese restaurant at Quezon City led by a chef from Japan, Sebastian See. He chose as business partner his ex-boyfriend.[17]
Pageant career
editTolentino was 2009's Mr. Gay World Philippine representative[18] and is currently the national director for Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization. He was appointed to represent the Philippines and the competition was held in Whistler, Canada. He was Mr. Gay Popularity, Best in National Costume, Best in Formal Wear and Sports Challenge Winner.
Prior to Mr. Gay World 2009, Wilbert competed for the Mr. Gay Philippines in 2007 and landed only 2nd runner up. He bagged numerous special awards such as Best in Casual Wear, Best in Talent, Congeniality Award, Photographer's Choice Award and Mr. Popularity.[19]
He also joined in a local noon time variety show in ABS-CBN, It's Showtime's I am Pogay[20] contest in 2014 and landed as a weekly finalist.
Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 - 2023
editTolentino took over the franchise from 2016 until 2023.
In 2016, Tolentino became the license holder for Mr. Gay World Philippines. He attributed three winners for Mr. Gay World, John Raspado Janjep Carlos and Kodie Macayan of 2017, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Joel Carcasona was the only first runner up who took over the 2021 title.
Four (4) crowns were won under his wing. [21]
Mr. Gay World Philippines/Mister Fahrenheit was the Philippines' first male pageant for gay men and bisexuals, and the longest running, since 2003.[citation needed] In 2018, the production for Mister Fahrenheit merged with Mr. Gay World Philippines, with its winner representing the Philippines in Mr. Gay World. Its platform are mental health awareness, HIV/AIDS and pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness. Louie Gonzalez was the first openly gay man titleholder, when he was proclaimed as the winner.[citation needed]
Miss F Universe is a Miss Universe inspired pageant for gay men, bisexual men and queers. Its platforms are the fight against homophobia and transphobia.[22][23]
Miss Earth Fahrenheit is a Miss Earth inspired pageant for gay men and bisexuals men and queers.[citation needed] Its platform is the involvement of the LGBTQI community for the preservation of nature and environment.
Fahrenheit Look Of The Year is a male pageant for gay men and bisexuals men which began in 2006.[citation needed] Its platform is to advocate programs and laws for the protection of the gay youth.
Facebook online challenges
editBecause of the worldwide COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Tolentino started multiple online benefit competitions starting in March 2020 for "drag queens, gay contestants, male contestants, social media influencers, entertainment and pageant media, pet owners community and singer-songwriters" to raise funds for the contestants and their families who had lost income.[24][3][25]
COVID-19
editOn July 24, 2020, Tolentino experienced mild symptoms of sore eyes. Eventually it became severe and on August 2, he was hospitalized for testing positive and having symptoms of Covid Pneumonia in critical severe state with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He had a survival chances of 20% and was intubated in CCU at St. Luke's Hospital in Quezon City.[26][1][27][28]
Youtuber
editIn October 2020, Tolentino started publishing a vlog on YouTube.[29]
Talent Manager
editMadam Inutz
editIn April, 2021,[30] Daisy Cabantog aka Madam Inutz signed a management contract with Wilbert Tolentino.
Madam Inutz is a viral sensation online seller during pandemic that made her famous. She recorded four singles: Inutil, Sangkap ng Pasko, Madam and Marites.
Tolentino entered Inutz to Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10 and finished fourth.
Herlene Budol
editIn February 2022,[31] Herlene Budol signed a management contract with Tolentino.
Under Tolentino's management, Herlene Budol joined Binibing Pilipinas 2022 and finished 1st Runner Up. Budol bagged (8) eight special awards: Bb. Pizza Hut, Bb. Shein, Bb. Silka, Jag Jeans Denim Quenn, Bb. World Balance, Manila Bulletin Choice Award, Bb. Kumu, Bb. Black Water.
After the pageant, Budol signed various endorsement deals, TV appearances, and recording labels.
Tolentino has produced a single "Gandang Hipon" which means Beautiful Shrimp in English, under Kafreshness Records.
Budol became a lead role in a TV Mini series called "Magandang Dilag" on GMA Network.
Tolentino also entered Budol to Miss Planet International in Kampala, Uganda. However, the pageant was postponed and Budol withdrew. Instead Tolentino entered Budol to Miss Grand Philippines a year after and won Miss Philippines Tourism. Budol bagged 5 awards: Best in Runway, Miss Ever Bilena, Miss Arena Plus, Miss Mermaid Manila Hair, Miss Blue Water Day Spa.
In July 2023, Tolentino terminated his management contract with Budol due to health reasons and devote ample time to his child and family.[32]
Tolentino in popular culture
editBiographical films / TV series
edit- Portrayed by Paolo Contis, as lead actor in the 2024 anthology series A Son's Karma (The Wilbert Tolentino Story), Episode 30, aired on August 3, 2024. It is directed by Richard Arellano and written by Benjamin Benson Logronio and Senedy Que, with supporting cast Mel Tiangco, Anna Marin, William Lorenzo, Ashley Rivera, Aidan Veneracion and Lotlot Bustamante.[33]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Pageant King Wilbert Tolentino survives COVID-19". Manila Bulletin. 2020-09-13. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ a b c d "Wilbert Tolentino: The road to recovery". Tempo. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ a b c Dumaual, Mario (2020-09-01). "Gazini Ganados, other queens rally support for new virtual pageant Miss GCQ". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ Ciriaco, Nico Erle (2020-07-01). "Combating the coronavirus contagion | Nico Erle Ciriaco". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ "Wilbert Tolentino: Born this way_ helping people is his destiny". article.wn.com. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
- ^ "Vietnamese beauty crowned Miss Earth". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ Lo, Ricky. "Will Pinay teenager win Hadid's model search?". philstar.com. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ a b c Antolin, Jet D. (March 5, 2017). "Wilbert Tolentino: Born this way, helping people is his destiny". Women’s Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "Outstanding Men & Women of the Year (Philippines) awards honor trailblazers —". Asian Journal News. 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ Caparas, Celso de Guzman (May 9, 2019). "Phl bet Janjep Carlos wins 2019 Mr. Gay World in South Africa". philstar.com. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ "Wilbert Tolentino Glamour Magazine July 2020". MagCloud. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
- ^ Yazon, Giovanni Paolo J. (24 April 2015). "Nomer Yuzon aims to be first-ever Mr. Gay World from Phl". Retrieved 2020-09-18.
- ^ "Out and proud". Tempo - The Nation's Fastest Growing Newspaper. 2016-09-29. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
- ^ "LOOK: Kathryn, Daniel accept 'Phenomenal Stars' award". ABS-CBN News. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ Estela, Kathrine (2020-09-10). "Wilbert Tolentino survives Covid-19". Metro Sun. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
- ^ "Fahrenheit Cafe and Fitness Center". fahrenheitcafe.com. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
- ^ "'My Puhunan: Kaya Mo!': Social media star Wilbert Tolentino, kasosyo sa negosyo ang ex-nobyo". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. June 30, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ "Contestants 2009 - Mr. Gay World". Retrieved 2016-06-24.
- ^ "Mr. Gay World Philippines 2009 | normannorman.com". normannorman.com. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
- ^ "'I Am Pogay' debut draws shrieks, trends worldwide". ABS-CBN. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
- ^ "HOME". Fahrenheit. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "Miss F Universe 2015". normannorman.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ Belleza, Joemar (2015-08-10). "Miss F Universe 2015: Hail The New Queen". Bakla Po Ako. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "Why Wilbert Tolentino is 'Mister Generous'". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "Entrepreneur Wilbert Tolentino creates virtual challenges for charity and fun amid the ongoing crisis". Business Mirror. June 25, 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
- ^ Ciriaco, Nico Erle (2020-07-01). "Combating the coronavirus contagion | Nico Erle Ciriaco". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "Survivors: NATIONAL DIRECTOR NG MR. GAY WORLD PH, NAGHABILIN SA KANYANG MGA KAANAK DAHIL SA COVID-19". 3 September 2020 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "On the road to full recovery – The Manila Times". www.manilatimes.net. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "Wilbert Tolentino a.k.a. Sir Wil furthers advocacies through vlogging". Random Republika (Press release). 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
- ^ "Madam Inutz signs contract with Wilbert Tolentino". Manila Bulletin.
- ^ "'Hipon Girl' joins Wilbert Tolentino's roster of talents". Manila Bulletin.
- ^ "Herlene Budol still on good terms with former manager Wilbert Tolentino". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ Ruiz, Marah (August 1, 2024). "Paolo Contis plays Wilbert Tolentino in Magpakailanman". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved August 5, 2024.