Dressed in a stunning red dress that perfectly hugged her figure, beauty queen Nicole Cordoves stepped in front of the cameras, her smile capturing the attention of the entire room. With her striking presence and warm demeanor, it’s no surprise she’s been named ambassador for the inaugural Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global (MMCG).
Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global is a pageant celebrating Chinatowns worldwide, spearheaded by CHiNOY TV. This global cultural movement aims to showcase the diverse backgrounds of its participants, represent their dual cultural identities, and promote inclusivity.
During the media launch which announced Cordoves as the pageant’s first ambassador, the Miss Grand International 2016 1st runner-up shared how grateful she was to take on the opportunity to celebrate not only her own Chinese and Filipino heritage but also those of mixed Chinese descent all around the world.
“I think with platforms like these we can push [the representation of the Chinese community] further. To hear stories of other candidates globally, I think that would make the narrative surrounding Chinese culture richer,” the beauty queen said.
As an ambassador, Cordoves is focused on supporting the candidates as well as collaborating with the organization.
“I want to be there for the candidates. This is the first time we are doing it. So we are on a blank page. I just want to be in the moment because I haven’t experienced [what a pageant] with Chinese mixed candidates with different nationalities so that will be an interesting experience,” she said.
Apart from the chance for representation, Cordoves’ stint as an ambassador also serves as a full circle moment for her as she first began her pageantry journey at the Miss Chinatown competition in 2014 where she took home the crown ten years ago.
Her time at the pageant as well as her overall presence as a beauty queen eventually caught the attention of Fil-Chi Media Productions Inc. President and CEO Alvin Kingson Tan, which led him to choose her as the first ambassador for the inaugural MMCG.
“I was very impressed with Niclose because first and foremost, she doesn’t look Chinese. She’s not your typical Chinoy who is short and fair-skinned. But when I talk to her [in Chinese], she’s very good at it. She appreciates her Chinese values. That’s the kind of candidate or a face that we’re looking for in Mr. and Miss Chinatown Global,” said Tan.
Adding to this, MMCG Pageant Director Frances Cham Chua said that the competition is open to male and female candidates of mixed Chinese descent between the ages of 18 and 30 from the Philippines as well as other parts of the world.
“MMCG is open for candidates from around the world so we are inviting candidates from diverse backgrounds like Chinese-Filipinos, Chinese-Americans, Chinese-Malaysians to come and join us and share their unique experiences and stories,” said Chua.
“We believe that this blend of our Chinese culture with their local traditions can create a deeper understanding of what it means to be Chinese today,” she added.
As part of the celebrations for the upcoming 15th anniversary of CHiNOY TV, the Mr. and Miss Chinatown Global pageant is set to run from Jan. 12, 2025 until Jan. 25, 2025. It will culminate in a Winner’s Night at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, which will coincide with the celebration of the Chinese New Year.
