Who will the Elan Awards Filipino Gentleman of 2013?

This is not the search for the next Psy but the ultimate Pinoy gentleman that embodies the qualities of a successful and made man and now for the first time the Elan Awards presented by McJim will now recognize the Man of the year with the search for the Modern Filipino Gentleman.

On the launch last Monday, the 12 finalists were announced with the judges and the organizing team. From a long list from the open nomination now it has come down to 12 men who will now on the final phase with the public voting who will be the emerge the sole victor.

The voting happens on the McJim Classic Leather Facebook Page which have a link to the application for the voting process. One vote for each category for each facebook account. This means you have three votes and it can be the same or different person for that category. Votes will then be tallied and will be the basis for the winner of the award. The list of the nominees are listed after the jump. Hurry because the  voting period will end on August 2, 2013.

Search For the 2013 Elan Awards By McJim Modern Filipino gentleman names 12 finalists

Celebrities including singers, athletes, actors, businessmen and a politician are among the top 12 finalists of the "2013 Elan Awards: The Search for the Modern Filipino Gentleman."

The Award is beng given by popular leather brand McJim to the best role models for style and elegance among today's Filipino Gentlemen. The Finalists were chosen from a lengthly list of entertainment, fashion, sports, music, and public service personalities nominated by Facebook users at the McJim Classic leather Official Facebook Page.

The top 12 finalists chosen for the award are Senator-elect Sonny Angara; international singer Christian Buatista; actor and director Dingdong Dantes; celebrity food blogger Erwan Heusaff; actor Xian Lim; accalimed actor Coco Martin; actor and producer Piolo Pascual; singer and businessman Richard Poon; actor and fitness enthusiast Derek Ramsay; professional basketball athlete and businessman Chris Tiu and AZKALS member Phil Younghusband.

The finalists were chosen by a celebrity panel of judges that included society columnist Tim Yap; actor and top male model Victor Basa; and radio and TV personality Sam YG based on the three criteria: 

• Elegance of Style 
• Manners and Etiquette and
• Accomplishment

In an official statement , McJim Leather said: : We're very happy that these 12 deserving finalists have been chosen by our esteemed panel of judges. We look forward to the public's decision in the final vote that will determine the Grand Winner of the 2013 Elan Awards.

"We established the Elan Awards to Define and showcase the Modern Filipino Gentleman as someone who is proudly and truly pinoy, As Filipinos, we should stop imitating and aspiring for foreign cultures. We have our own and we are  as good as anyone in the world. We should be proud of who we are and what we do as Filipinos."

"Each of the 12 Elan Award Finalists is a role model for us to be successful, stylish and elegant in our manner of dress, grooming, accomplishments, etiquette, and overall lifestyle-and they are all distinctly and proudly Filipino  The Elan Awards are here to inspire more Filipinos to blend a sense of style, gentlemanly manners and values and the drive to succeed."

Nominees were chosen by the public in a popularity contest conducted through the McJim Official Facebook Fan Page. All Facebook users in the Philippines and overseas are eligible in the poll.

Facebook users were allowed to nominate male individuals - whether celebrities or non-celebrities who meet the basic requirements: 1. Must Have Filipino lineage; 2) Must be 23 to 40 years of age on the start of the search on May 1, 2013.

Facebook users were allowed to nominate different individuals for each criterion, or nominate  one individual for two out of three, or all three criteria. Their nominations were posted on the McJim Classic Official Facebook Page. The Judges then chose the top 12 Finalists from roster of nominees.

Now that the 12 finalists are announced, Facebook users may now go to the McJim Classic Leather Official Facebook Page and then vote for their chosen finalists based on the criteria. Voting is open from June 17 to August 2, 2013. The finalists with the most number of votes will be proclaimed will be proclaimed Grand Winner of the 2013 Elan Awards.

The Grand Winner of the 2013 Elan Awards will receive a prestigious designer trophy  P100,000 in cash for himself; another P100,000 to be given to a charity of his choice; and one-year supply of McJim products. One the other hand, the nine finalists will receive plaques of appreciation and a six-month supply of McJim products.