MANILA, Philippines — Model Jezer Palomo, who resembles Korean superstar Park Seo-joon, and model and beauty queen Justine Felizarta won the Century Tuna Superbod 2024 held last night at the Marriott Manila Hotel in Pasay City.
Former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Jessica Marasigan and model Patrick Patawaran were named runners-up.
Ms. Palomo and Ms. Felizarta will each win P500,000, while Ms. Marasigan and Ms. Patawaran will each win P200,000.
Early in the competition, Palomo, 22, swept a number of special awards, including Slay the Runway, Perfect Smile, People's Choice, Flex It Like a Superbod, Beat Yesterday and E-Commerce Superstar.
Prior to winning the Superbod pageant, Felizarta, 30, was a Binibining Pilipinas 2021 candidate, Miss World Philippines 2022 1st Princess and Miss Tourism World 2022 1st Runner-up. The Davao del Sur native is also a licensed medical aesthetician who volunteers with the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) community.
After three months of activities and fitness challenges, Palomo and Felizarta beat out 33 other finalists, including Jasmine Arriola, who is deaf; Kielyn Trajano, the first transgender woman to compete in the “Super Body” competition; Michael Barr Comalin, a gold medalist at the Southeast Asian Games; and Jericho Ejercito, son of action star George Estregan Jr. and a Philippine Air Force reservist.
Among the finalists are voice actor Yinka Magnaye, single mother Imelda Schweigert, 52-year-old Derick Hibarer, overseas migrant worker Carlo Adorador and married couple Enzo and Julia Bonoan.
The judging was based 50% on the finalists' presence through their catwalk performances in swimwear and resort wear, and 50% on substance based on their answers during the personality videos and the Question and Answer session (Q&A) where they were questioned by a judging panel made up of Century Tuna executives and celebrity guests such as Aga Muhlach, Richard Gomez, Marian Rivera and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.
During the Q&A, Palomo made a memorable statement by asking judge Marian Rivera to translate her question into English, a challenge the actress accepted and answered with flying colors.
Other highlights of the pageant were a sexy dance number by Century Tuna's new sponsor, Katherine Bernardo, and a mini-concert by Filipino pop band Lola Amour.
The event's hosts, Miss Universe 2022 R. Bonnie Gabriel and Robbie Domingo, said in their speech that Superbods is not just a beauty contest but a platform to inspire people to live healthy lifestyles.
“Of course, I love that it includes fitness challenges and exercises that motivate Filipinos to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle,” R'Bonney said.
“The finalists personally experienced holistic transformation during the competition and we get to share their inspiring stories of their journey to achieving their best selves…” — Video by Martin Ramos