Julia Montes look-alike wins ‘Macho Gay’ title

A CONSTRUCTION worker got the biggest surprise of his life when he was crowned “Macho Gay 2013” during the final night held last Feb. 7 at the town plaza of Barangay Iponan.

Jun Adonis Patriana, 31, looked like actress Julia Montes on stage. He bested all other candidates in the contest, one of the highlights of Barangay Iponan’s week-long “Kalumpangan Festival” in honor of the village’s patron saint, San Guillermo, whose feast falls on Feb. 10.

Patriana, who represented Zone 4, ramped on stage with grace and confidence that can be compared to a beauty queen. He looked beautiful in his red gown, which earned him the Best in Gown award.

He also grabbed the Best in Swimsuit and Best in Shorts and Tube Attire minor awards.

Patriana’s straight forward and honest-to-goodness answer to the question “Why did you join the Macho Gay contest?” earned him the title.

He says he did not expect to win but the support he got from his wife, five kids and his colleagues from Zone 4 boosted his confidence, giving him the reason to go for the top title.

Patriana received cash prizes, trophies and a scholarship grant from a computer school.

He says the scholarship is a big help not only to him but also to his family.

Completing Patriana’s court are Joseph Tadena a.k.a Ruffa Gutierez from CIJODA as first runner up and Cedric Fidel B. Degracia a.k.a. Pricella Nathalia Valverde from Zone 7 Balaos as second runner up.

The Macho Gay pageant was one of the most anticipated fiesta activities prepared by the local government unit of Barangay Iponan headed by its ever active village chief, Anthony “Gaga” Brilleta.

This year’s fiesta theme is “Garbo ko ang Iponan, kalambuan natagamtaman sa tanan.”

Fiesta activities were held starting February 1 such as Booth Contest with the Urban Poor Association grabbing the first prize; sports fest for the youth; field demonstrations by the students from different private and public schools in the village; zones and subdivision night; Miss Gay contest; parade and disco.

A Mass kicked off the feast of San Guillermo on Feb. 10 followed by other activities that showcased the beauty of Barangay Iponan and its well-known dishes, particularly suman and humba.

Brilleta says the week-long celebration was their way of saying “thank you” to their patron saint for the abundant blessings and sparing them from the wrath of tropical storm Sendong and typhoon Pablo.

“I also want to tell the world that it’s more fun in Cagayan de Oro and definitely more fun in Barangay Iponan,” he says.