MMUE Manila crowns new titleholders

COLLEGE of Arts and Sciences

(CAS) candidates Matthew Ray Marasigan and Eunjung Park were crowned Mr. and Ms. University of the East (MMUE) Manila 2023 on May 6 at the UE Theatre.

Marasigan and Park, both tourism students, won the “Bathala” and “Bathaluman” crowns, which represent victory and acceptancing the title’s responsibilities. The newly designed crowns were created Jezerel Sto.

Domingo Jr. from the fashion company Crowning Moment.

In the questionand-answer portion, Marasigan, a gay man, was asked whether he believes men can be strong while being emotionally vulnerable.

“Naniniwala ako na ang mga kalalakihan nahihirapan silang ipakita kung anong nararamdaman nila dahil ang pagbibigay ng hiya ay nagrerepresenta ng kahinaan. Ngunit ngayon, I am here in this pageant myself as a man as well as a gay. It didn’t give me the hindrances or even the potential to show who I am. I always believe that men should show their vulnerability. Dapat tayong mga tao, kung kailan tayo nagiging mahina, doon tayo nagiging malakas,” he responded.

Meanwhile, Park, a Korean national, responded to a question on the most surprising yet magical Filipino trait

by Brix Lelis and Terenz Dave L. Silverio

she noticed that helped the country in surviving the pandemic.

“If you think I am Korean because of my name, I would like to introduce myself again. I am Eunjung Park, a Filipino was named Mr. Congeniality, Mr. Photogenic, Mr. Personality, and Best in Talent award, while Park won the Best in Theme Wear and Ms. Personality awards.

Mr. College of Education (CEduc)

Ethan Dean Lazaro and Ms. College of Dentistry (CDent) Mikhaela Francesca Peñano were hailed as the first runnersup. Lazaro won Best in Formal Wear, the Ms. in Formal and Best in Talent awards.