There’s more than one way to be a man, as the inaugural Mr. Gay Hong Kong 2009 pageant is here to prove.  Johannes Pong checks out the competition.



On Saturday Nov 28, at 8:30pm, Lan Kwai Fong Bar will host an event where six gay men will vie for the first ever Mr. Gay Hong Kong title. Motivation? The winner gets a one-year modeling contract with Model Management, a cover shoot for gay mag Dim Sum, a year’s worth of free grooming from Paul Gerrard Salon, and an overnight at the EWOW (Presidential) Suite of the W. Oh, plus the lucky man gets to go on to represent Hong Kong at the Mr. Gay World pageant, held in February next year in Oslo, Norway.

This monumental occasion is brought to reality by MAN Asia Productions, the brainchild of Noel Furrer (LKF Group’s PR Manager) and James Gannaban (marketing manager of FINDS). Why are they doing this? “I’m too scared to be a contestant myself.” Gannaban replied frankly. “So I decided to be the producer.” Furrer gave more particulars: “It’s not a beauty pageant—it’s an inner beauty pageant. We’re trying to find someone who’s got the cool personality and confidence to face the world and represent Hong Kong’s gay community. It’s also meant to be fun—it’s not a demonstration!

Candidates will have to look hot in sportswear, swimwear and formal. But more than just man candy, the entrants are expected to be an articulate ambassador for Hong Kong’s gay community, answering the scrutinizing questions of the fair Board of Judges: top designer Barney Cheng, PR maverick Paul Hicks, mannequin czar Francis Lo, nightlife doyenne Colette Koo, and little old me, whom they have described on the press release as “irrepressible columnist Johannes Pong.” Bitch, please.

Speaking of bitches, the Grand Finale will also feature a glittering performance by La Chiquitta, our city’s first-ever drag recording artist, with her debut single “Tranny in the House.” And there’ll be a kickin’ afterparty with DJ Stonedog.

Here are the boys!

Billy Leung (A)
Oct 18, Libra, 25 years old, 175cm
When he was just 20, Billy became the local poster boy for gay activism by mounting a legal challenge against Hong Kong’s anti-sodomy law, where the age of consent for gay men was 21–five years higher than for heterosexual sex. Thank God he won and it was lowered to the age of 16. Leading gay magazine Advocate even heralded him as “Hong Kong’s Young Crusader.” Despite the celebrity, it’s refreshing to know that our Billy (who works as a campaigner for Amnesty International) has remained a fun-loving guy who loves to go to the movies, hang out with friends and enjoy the sunshine.

Rick Twombley (B)
Dec 29, Capricorn, 30 years old, 182ccm
A consummate performer who has traveled the world for his craft, Rick is a singer, dancer and actor who’s worked the front lines of entertainment, with a specialty on aerial artistry. Between his demanding work schedule at a theme park and hosting a lively stream of movie nights and cooking sessions at the place he shares with his partner, it’s a wonder he has time to join a male pageant at all. This is Rick’s fifth year living in Hong Kong, and he is (still) loving it.

Jason Tang (C)
Dec 14, Sagittarius, 31 years old, 170cm
Just recently moved back to Hong Kong from Toronto, Jason first caught the attention of the MAN Asia Production scouts when he cheekily took to the stage in nothing but boxer shorts to promote a line of underwear at a popular gay networking event. Jason is a straight-forward and easy-going kind of guy who makes no judgments. How Canadian! It might take him a while to warm up to strangers, but he soon reveals a confident and daring nature. He enjoys travel, tech gadgets, working out, and watching Mad Men.

Joe Leung (D)
Sept 16, Virgo, 28 years old, 170cm
An officer at AIDS Concern, Joe is actively involved in advocacy work. He recently traveled to Sydney for the ACON (acondom.org) festival, where he met like-minded men around the world in promoting the gospel of safe sex. Joe plays a classical Chinese string instrument, the traditional lute-like ruan, and is also a talented singer. A young man with a ready smile for everyone, Joe certainly embodies the tag, “beauty with a purpose.”

Gilbert Cheng (E)
Aug 20, Leo, 30 years old, 175cm
Gilbert is one of those boys whose boyish face belies his age. His youthful disposition and congenial nature have served him well in the hospitality industry, where he puts his charm to great use. As a model, his impish mug has been captured in the first volume of the acclaimed coffee table book, “The Asian Male” by Norm Yip. Gilbert is happily coupled and enjoys working out, fine dining and traveling with his other half.

Ziggy Bautista (F)
Oct 22, Libra and Scorpio cusp, 38 years old, 178cm
A fixture of the Manila fashion scene, and an interior designer who has been practicing his profession successfully in Hong Kong for several years now, Ziggy was strongly encouraged by his friends to join Mr. Gay Hong Kong. Ziggy has just the right combination of facility with gay issues presented in a beautiful package. He enjoys taking his canoe for marathon paddles out from Stanley and beyond, and showed up at this year’s Floatilla (and other boat parties) as the only one-man junk, boarding boats and creating lots of hot pirate mayhem.

Tickets to the Grand Finale available at Lan Kwai Fong Bar, 30-32 D’Aguilar St., Central, 2521-1345. $180 advance; $220 at the door (includes a drink). Part of the proceeds will benefit AIDS Concern.

Vote for your favorite Mr. Gay HK candidate online at www.manasiaproductions.com.  And check out www.mrgayworld.org.