Wilbert Tolentino
Born
Wilbert Ting Tolentino

(1975-05-18) May 18, 1975
Manila, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • pageant titleholder
  • philanthropist
  • vlogger
Known forfirst Mr. Gay World Philippines, Youtube Vlogger, pageant producer, Mr. Gay World Philippines license holder
Notable workMr. Gay World Philippines
Children2[1][2]

Wilbert Ting Tolentino (born May 18, 1975) is a Filipino entrepreneur and philanthropist and a vlogger. Tolentino owns bars, a spas, and trading business.

He is a beauty pageant producer.[1][2][3][4][5] He regularly serves as a judge for other beauty pageants like Miss Earth 2018 in November, and Miss Asia Pacific International 2017.[6][7] Tolentino founded and produced several pageants and competitions: Miss F Universe, Mr. Fahrenheit/Mr. Gay World Philippines, Miss Earth Fahrenheit, Fahrenheit Look of the Year, Mr. Bear Fahrenheit, Miss F Jumbo, Miss F Supranatural & The Voice Of Fahrenheit.[8]

He earned the first Mr. Gay World Philippines in 2009, and competed for Mr. Gay World 2009 in Whistler, Canada. Tolentino is an LGBTQ advocate awarded as one of Philippine's “Outstanding Men and Women“ of 2019.[1][2][9][10][11] Tolentino was the first openly gay Filipino man to compete in an international pageant.[8] He went on to compete in Mr Gay World winning Mr. Gay Popularity and Best in National Costume in 2009.[12] As of September 2016, he is the national director of MGWF.[13] In March 2019, Tolentino received a special award at the “Phenomenal Stars of Philippine Cinema” event, Global Entrepreneur of the Year.[14] He serves on the Quezon City Pride Council.[8]

In recognition of frontline health workers he is starting a reality show competition to reward cash prizes.[2][15] In September 2020, he started a virtual pageant, Miss GCQ or Miss Gandang Contesera Quest, to support pageant contestants until a regular season resumes.[3]

Early life

Wilbert Ting Tolentino was born in Binondo, Manila with Chinese-Filipino parents. He is a businessman and owner of Fahrenheit Cafe & Fitness Center[16] or F Philippines, a gay membership club situated in the main street of Quezon City, and he runs various health spas. Tolentino is one of the board of directors of Quezon City Pride Council that promotes HIV/AIDS awareness to LGBT community. Tolentino studied at Lorenzo Ruiz Academy in Manila's Chinatown center and continued his college years at University of Santo Tomas for few units.

Pageant career

Tolentino was 2009's Mr. Gay World Philippine representative[17] and is currently the national director for Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization. He was appointed to represent the Philippines and the competition was held in Whistler, Canada. He was Mr. Gay Popularity, Best in National Costume, Best in Formal Wear and Sports Challenge Winner.

Prior to Mr. Gay World 2009, Wilbert competed for the Mr. Gay Philippines in 2007 and landed only 2nd runner up. He bagged numerous special awards such as Best in Casual Wear, Best in Talent, Congeniality Award, Photographer's Choice Award and Mr. Popularity.[18]

He also joined in a local noon time variety show in ABS-CBN, It's Showtime's I am Pogay[19] contest in 2014 and landed as a weekly finalist.

Pageant production

He founded and produced five major local gay competitions: Mr. Gay World Philippines (aka Mister Fahrenheit), Miss F Universe, Miss Earth Fahrenheit, Fahrenheit Look Of The Year.

In 2016, Tolentino became the license holder for Mr. Gay World Philippines. He attributed two winners for Mr. Gay World, John Raspado and Janjep Carlos of 2017 and 2019, respectively. [20]

Mr. Gay World Philippines/Mister Fahrenheit was the Philippines' first male pageant for gay men and bisexuals, and the longest running, since 2003. In 2018, the production for Mister Fahrenheit merged with Mr. Gay World Philippines, with its winner representing the Philippines in Mr. Gay World. Its platform are mental health awareness, HIV/AIDS and pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness. Louie Gonzalez was the first openly gay man titleholder, when he was proclaimed as the winner.

Miss F Universe is a Miss Universe inspired pageant for gay men, bisexual men and queers. Its platforms are the fight against homophobia and transphobia.[21][22]

Miss Earth Fahrenheit is a Miss Earth inspired pageant for gay men and bisexuals men and queers. Its platform is the involvement of the LGBTQI community for the preservation of nature and environment.

Fahrenheit Look Of The Year is a male pageant for gay men and bisexuals men which began in 2006. Its platform is to advocate programs and laws for the protection of the gay youth.

Mr. Bear Fahrenheit is the Philippines' only male pageant for bears and chubby gay men. The winner represents the Philippines at Mr. Bear Universe. Its platform is to support the solidarity of bears and chubs in the country.[23]

Miss F Jumbo is a plus size pageant for gay men and bisexuals men and queers. Its platform is the fight against fat shaming.

Miss F Supranatural is a pangkalawakan inspired pageant for gay men and bisexuals men and queers who embody over-the-top personality and are judged not by their beauty but their wit and humor.

The Vocalist of Fahrenheit is a singing competition open to all gender and ages.

Facebook online challenges

Because of the worldwide COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Tolentino started multiple online benefit competitions starting in March 2020 for "drag queens, gay contestants, male contestants, social media influencers, entertainment and pageant media, pet owners community and singer-songwriters" to raise funds for the contestants and their families who had lost income.[24][3][25]

Covid 19

On July 24, 2020, Tolentino experienced mild symptoms of sore eyes. Eventually it became severe and on August 2, he was hospitalized for testing positive and having symptoms of Covid Pneumonia in critical severe state with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He had a survival chances of 20% and was intubated in CCU at St. Luke's Hospital in Quezon City.[26][1][27][28]

Youtuber

In October 2020, Tolentino started publishing a vlog on YouTube.[29]

Talent Manager

Madam Inutz

In April, 2021, [30] Daisy Cabantog aka Madam Inutz signed a management contract with Wilbert Tolentino.

Madam Inutz is a viral sensation online seller during pandemic that made her famous. She recorded four singles: Inutil, Sangkap ng Pasko, Madam and Marites.

Tolentino entered Inutz to Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10 and finished fourth.

Herlene Budol

In February 2022, [31] Herlene Budol signed a management contract with Tolentino.

Under Tolentino's management, Herlene Budol joined Binibing Pilipinas 2022 and finished 1st Runner Up. Budol bagged (8) eight special awards: Bb. Pizza Hut, Bb. Shein, Bb. Silka, Jag Jeans Denim Quenn, Bb. World Balance, Manila Bulletin Choice Award, Bb. Kumu, Bb. Black Water.

After the pageant, Budol signed various endorsement deals, TV appearances, and recording labels.

Tolentino has produced a single "Gandang Hipon" which means Beautiful Shrimp in English, under Kafreshness Records.

Budol became a lead role in a TV Mini series called "Magandang Dilag" on GMA Network.

Tolentino also entered Budol to Miss Planet International in Kampala, Uganda. However, the pageant was postponed and Budol withdrew. Instead Tolentino entered Budol to Miss Grand Philippines a year after and won Miss Philippines Tourism. Budol bagged 5 awards: Best in Runway, Miss Ever Bilena, Miss Arena Plus, Miss Mermaid Manila Hair, Miss Blue Water Day Spa.

On July of 2023, Tolentino terminated his management contract with Budol.

Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 "Pageant King Wilbert Tolentino survives COVID-19". Manila Bulletin. 2020-09-13. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    2. 1 2 3 4 "Wilbert Tolentino: The road to recovery". Tempo. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    3. 1 2 3 Dumaual, Mario (2020-09-01). "Gazini Ganados, other queens rally support for new virtual pageant Miss GCQ". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    4. ↑ Ciriaco, Nico Erle (2020-07-01). "Combating the coronavirus contagion | Nico Erle Ciriaco". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    5. ↑ "Wilbert Tolentino: Born this way_ helping people is his destiny". article.wn.com. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
    6. ↑ "Vietnamese beauty crowned Miss Earth". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    7. ↑ Lo, Ricky. "Will Pinay teenager win Hadid's model search?". philstar.com. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    8. 1 2 3 Antolin, Jet D. (March 5, 2017). "Wilbert Tolentino: Born this way, helping people is his destiny". Women’s Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
    9. ↑ "Outstanding Men & Women of the Year (Philippines) awards honor trailblazers —". Asian Journal News. 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    10. ↑ Caparas, Celso de Guzman (May 9, 2019). "Phl bet Janjep Carlos wins 2019 Mr. Gay World in South Africa". philstar.com. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    11. ↑ "Wilbert Tolentino Glamour Magazine July 2020". MagCloud. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
    12. ↑ Yazon, Giovanni Paolo J. "Nomer Yuzon aims to be first-ever Mr. Gay World from Phl". Retrieved 2020-09-18.
    13. ↑ "Out and proud". Tempo - The Nation's Fastest Growing Newspaper. 2016-09-29. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
    14. ↑ "LOOK: Kathryn, Daniel accept 'Phenomenal Stars' award". ABS-CBN News. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    15. ↑ Estela, Kathrine (2020-09-10). "Wilbert Tolentino survives Covid-19". Metro Sun. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
    16. ↑ "Fahrenheit Cafe and Fitness Center". fahrenheitcafe.com. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
    17. ↑ "Contestants 2009 - Mr. Gay World". Retrieved 2016-06-24.
    18. ↑ "Mr. Gay World Philippines 2009 | normannorman.com". normannorman.com. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
    19. ↑ "'I Am Pogay' debut draws shrieks, trends worldwide". ABS-CBN. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
    20. ↑ "HOME". Fahrenheit. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
    21. ↑ "Miss F Universe 2015". normannorman.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
    22. ↑ Belleza, Joemar (2015-08-10). "Miss F Universe 2015: Hail The New Queen". Bakla Po Ako. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
    23. ↑ Jackson, Kyle (2019-10-17). "Inaugural Mr. Bear Fahrenheit Contest to be held in Philippines, online voting started". Bear World Magazine. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
    24. ↑ "Why Wilbert Tolentino is 'Mister Generous'". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
    25. ↑ "Entrepreneur Wilbert Tolentino creates virtual challenges for charity and fun amid the ongoing crisis". Business Mirror. June 25, 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
    26. ↑ Ciriaco, Nico Erle (2020-07-01). "Combating the coronavirus contagion | Nico Erle Ciriaco". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
    27. ↑ "Survivors: NATIONAL DIRECTOR NG MR. GAY WORLD PH, NAGHABILIN SA KANYANG MGA KAANAK DAHIL SA COVID-19" – via www.youtube.com.
    28. ↑ "On the road to full recovery – The Manila Times". www.manilatimes.net. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
    29. ↑ "Wilbert Tolentino a.k.a. Sir Wil furthers advocacies through vlogging". Random Republika (Press release). 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
    30. ↑ https://mb.com.ph/2021/8/20/madam-inutz-signs-contract-with-wilbert-tolentino
    31. ↑ https://mb.com.ph/2022/02/13/hipon-girl-joins-wilbert-tolentinos-roster-of-talents/
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