The Hari ng Negros- Ginoong Canlaon pageant, the only personality-focused competition participated in by Occidental and Oriental residents, chooses its fifth titlist today in its home, Canlaon City. In its fifth anniversary, the competition will gather the four titlists to join the new Hari in its celebration of masculine beauty, brains and brawns.

Meet the past winners altogether - Emmanuel Labirua (2003 winner), who was born in Himamaylan City and now a resident of Canlaon, Reiven Bulado (2004), representing Guihulngan; Paul Brett Orozco (representing Dumaguete) and last year's winner, Mark Xander Fabillar of Jimalalud.

Emman, 22, who stands 5'10", is the son of Roberto Sr. and Dyna Labirua. He earned his B.S. Hospitality Management degree from La Consolacion College in Bacolod City in March this year.

Reiven, born in San Carlos City, has a biology degree from the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City, where he was a top model. His parents are Anecito Bulado and Belleza Sanches. The 22-year-old titlist is presently a flight steward of Philippine Airlines and does modeling stints on the side. He has appeared in Cesar Montano's Panaghoy sa Suba and The Hunt for Eagle One, an international picture.

Mark, 23, has a business marketing degree from St. Paul-Dumaguee. He has served as a travel specialist and is presently an online publisher. He is the son of Gad Fabillar (deceased) and the former Glenda Ramira.

StarLife sent the four titlists a questionnaire but Paul Brett, the 2004 titlist, failed to respond to the email-interview despite several extended deadlines. Here are the replies of the past Negros Kings to the StarLife questionnaire: StarLife: Was it an easy decision to join Hari ng Negros … no qualms and hesitations?

Reiven: Yes… I just wanted to join the competition in my own home province because my other achievements were all in Cebu. When my manager heard about the pageant, he said let's try it, summer naman para may gagawin ako. I had no hesitations at all kasi alam ko I will surely enjoy the time to time meet new friends and share my goodness as a person and as a friend. Ang dami ko naging kaibigan and until now we still communicate.

Emman: If one is eager to join in a competition, qualms and hesitations have no place at all. Before I joined Hari ng Negros, I weighed things first, the advantages and then the disadvan-tages. It then be-came an easy decision to make.

Mark: I wouldn't say that it was an easy decision because I've heard stories about the pageant and was under the impression that it was a very sexy show. I was quite hesitant at first but gave it a go anyway because I like a good challenge - the bigger the better. I'm a fighter and work best under pressure.

StarLife: Who and what convinced you to join?

Mark: A talent scout. I was shopping for jeans in Lee Super Plaza, a department store in Dumaguete, and a talent scout approached me and told me I would have a good chance at the title if I joined this year. I decided to compete in memory of my father. I represented his town Jimalalud at the pageant.

Reiven: My former manager, the one from the MGW modeling agency in Cebu.

Emman: I joined because I really liked to and my family and friends encouraged and supported me.

StarLife: Why did you join it? What did you hope to accomplish?

Emman: In a competition, we always aspire to win but beside that I wanted to prove to myself that I could make it to the top with so much confidence.

Reiven: First I wanted to see the volcano, meet new friends, learned and gain more experience. I was more enjoying it than being engrossed in winning. Ewan ko… tawa lang ako ng tawa doon (laughs). Really I was not expecting to win. I told myself later: GOD IS GOOD TALAGA!!!

Mark: I've always been a leader. During my high school and collegiate days, I was always in the Student Government. I like the title 'Hari' because it connotes leadership. That is why I joined. What I wanted to prove was that beauty goes beyond what is physical. That brains matter the most.

StarLife: To what extent did you accomplish your objective in joining the 'Hari' competition?

Mark: Winning it was great proof that what you have between your ears really matters. I wouldn't say that I was the most handsome or that I had the best body out there, but every time I spoke people listened.

Reiven: I had the best time… I learned a lot, met new friends and I won (laughs).

Emman: Gaining self-confidence is the biggest accomplishment I have. It's the only throne that I can show, the only throne that I'll carry for the rest of my life.

StarLife: About the competition…what was most fun, challenging, difficult, interesting and rewarding, other than the title?

Reiven: Everything was. Really, lahat, they all fit into a 'hari's worthwhile experiences.

Emman: The most fun were the pictorial sessions, like I felt I was doing it as a commercial model and, of course, the bonding experiences with other contestants. The most challenging was the competition itself…every single moment of the entire competition is very challenging but fun as well. The most difficult? It's the Q&A portion (laughter): "What makes a man cry?" Oh, that made me sweat… (laughs). The most rewarding (other than the title): as I've said, is the opportunity to meet other people and my gaining self-confidence that I never thought I'd possess.

Mark: The most fun was talking nonsense with co-candidates (laughs) We were a crazy bunch. The most challenging was climbing the mountains for photo shoots. It was physically draining. The mountains are quite high in Canlaon. The most difficult - the photo shoots. We shot in several waterfalls and it was so hard to pose because the water was so cold! The most interesting - I would say that what happens backstage is the most interesting thing. At first you think you're all friends but on the pageant night, things get very competitive backstage.

The most rewarding: soon after I had won, I did an episode on Living Asia. I talked about Negros and its rich history. It was a beautiful experience.

StarLife What does the title mean to you now?

Emman: A gem that I'll treasure forever. Although it's a history, but being the "First" Hari ng Negros is like a thing that I'll forever bring with me. So that's why the title is a gem to me.

Reiven: It's the experience that taught me a lot of stuff, like pakikisama… and being good all the time. I learned a lot.

Mark: It is an avenue for young gentlemen, like myself, to foray into the fields that we want to pursue. It gives us a platform to voice our choices and opinions and makes us strong as men should be.

StarLife: In what ways has the title helped you in your present pursuit?

Emman: It has given meme a lot of opportunities. Also contacts.

Reiven: It taught me to be hardworking, being good to the people na nakakasama mo, concentrate and devote sa ginagawa mo, putting you heart into it.

Mark: I became 'vegan' shortly after I had won. I've always been an animal lover and have come to realize that there is a hypocrisy in calling myself an "animal lover" and yet eat animal meat. I gave up not only meat but eggs, dairy products, fish, and other animal products. No animal deserves to die or suffer for one's taste buds. I started a blog too, about veganism and animal rights. My web address is markxander.blogspot.com. The title has helped me in the sense that people visit my blog because I am Hari ng Negros. My blog, in return educates them about what veganism is all about - that veganism is different from vegetarianism, for example.

StarLife What makes the pageant during your year different from the other Hari pageants?

Reiven: I can't really compare sa ibang batch. Ang masasabi ko lang sa batch naming is - ang friendship ng lahat ng contestant has really been good. No big deal sa amin lahat who'd win. Ang pinaka importante masaya kami… I remember after the pageant ayaw naming umuwi kasi parang last na talaga, nakakalungkot, but the brighter side is, kahit saan ako mapunta I am welcomed by my batch. If I go to Dumaguete or Bacolod, I know I have friends there among my batchmates and they are my friend. My other batchmates, if they're here in Manila, talagang humahanap ako time to be with them. Masaya talaga!!!

Emman: I don't think there's much difference. It's just that every year, the concept of the pageant changes.

Mark: It was during my year when they introduced the pre-judging event. The pre-judging was great because it was almost as if we were on a job interview - like we were "applying" for the position of Hari ng Negros. The results of the Pre-judging really matters. I ranked first and eventually won. Mr. Dumaguete ranked second and became 1st runner-up, while Mr. Bayawan ranked third and he became 2nd runner-up. The results of the pre-judging practically mirrored the results on the final night.

StarLife:What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself after winning the title?

Mark: Calm, self-assured and socially-aware.

Reiven: I'm undaunted and excited by challenges, knowledgeable more about life.

Emman: Confident, health-buff and focused.

StarLife: What civic activities did you engage in during your reign?

Mark: I've dedicated my year to animal rights. I'm an advocate for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

Emman: Not so much activities really, just nature treks, like hiking, pictorial sessions and stage activities.

Reiven: Wala masyado sa totoo lang kasi after the competition, I went back home to Cebu to finish school then pursue my modeling stints.

StarLife: What opportunities did you have after winning the title?

Emman: Many approached me to do modeling after winning but I refused because I needed to finish school first, my top goal in life. And since I'm done with school, I'll be doing modeling later this year.

Mark: I'm very active in hosting events around Negros. I've also signed a five-year management contract with RDH Entertainment & Marketing, owned by talent manager Richard Hiñola. I had a chance to appear on Living Asia. Other than pets, my other passion is hosting. Reiven: I had a good number of offers but the others did not push through. Sa modeling marami, then got chance to play a part of the internationally- acclaimed movie of Director Cesar Montano in 'Panaghoy sa Suba'. I was nominated by various award-presenting bodies in the country and abroad. That's something, isn't it.

StarLife: Looking back, what can you say about your joining and winning the title?

Emman: It's fun and a different kind of experience but what makes me feel better is I have brought pride to my fellow Canlaonians and, that, to me, is the most worthwhile experience.

Reiven: All I can say is that it was one of the most beautiful pageants na nasalihan ko - everything was there: pakikisama disiplina, training and most of all learning more about myself and the other candidates. Sobrang saya ang experience. Until now gusto ko pasalamatan ang lahat na bumubuo sa patimpalak na iyan. Hindi nila ako nakalimutan - every now and then, may texts at messages ako galling sa kanila, updates and information, pati na mga invitations. I'm doing my best to attend all that can fit into my schedule. And promise naman sa inyong lahat kahit saan ako mapunta dala ko lagi sa pagkatao ko ang 'Hari ng Negros'. Thanks StarLife for this opportunity to share my thoughts about being a Hari ng Negros winner.

Mark: I don't regret it. I've grown so much since my win and have felt great love from the people of Negros. If somebody had told me that I would eventually become Hari ng Negros, I would probably have laughed at his face. It's amazing what God has in store for each one of us.