Over 200K worth of cash and prizes given away during Kapamilya Media Christmas Party.

Shouts, cheers and applause from the members of the entertainment press recently filled ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theatre during the network’s “My Girl 2011” beauty pageant that marked the climax of the “Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino: Kapamilya Media Party,” wherein ABS-CBN gave away over P200,000 worth of cash and prizes to the entertainment media.

What brought the house down was the event’s finale showcasing 15 “My Girl 2011” candidates, including four straight male photographers, dressed to the nines with their glittering long gowns and transformed into Miss Universe beauties by Cut Encarnacion Salon.

The pageant’s question and answer portion was a big hit among the audience. Just like the candidates, hosts Jobert Sucaldito and Ahwel Paz of DZMM’s “Mismo” were a standout with their witty jokes and banters. Both hosts helped the candidates, who all showed grace under pressure, hurdle the questions posed by beauty queens Shamcey Supsup, Dianne Necio, and Isabella Manjon who sat as judges of the competition.

“As co-hosts onstage, Jobert and Ahwel’s tandem was effective. Ahwel was hilarious that night,” wrote Nel Alejandrino in his column.

The unprecedented success of “My Girl 2011” generated an outpour of commendations from the press who all stayed in the Kapamilya Media Party until 11:00pm.

Mario Hernando expressed his delight over “My Girl” which made ABS-CBN’s press party a success ‘next to impossible to match.’ He said, “The party was really loads of fun, a riot! Nobody was bored and unsmiling. Everyone was howling with glee. Other Christmas parties are just a raffle party. Eventhough I did not win any prize in ABS-CBN’s press party, I was happy because I enjoyed the event.”

Other press-attendees even made an effort to post their good words about the party on their Twitter accounts.

‘Pinoy Gossip Boy’ Aaron Lozada tweeted, “Had fun at the ABS-CBN Christmas Party for the media.”

While both Roldan Castro of Bulgar and Rose Garcia of PEP.ph tweeted about how fun-filled the gathering was. Roldan shared, “I was in tears laughing during ‘My Girl 2011’ of ABS-CBN Christmas Party for the movie press.” Rose, meanwhile commented, “My Girl’ was so much fun!”

John Fontanilla of Police Files Tonite was crowned “My Girl 2011.” He was awarded with P20,000 cash, P30,000 worth of services from CUT-Encarnacion Group of Salon and gift packs from UK Derm Pharma.

Rodel Fernando of Moviestar Magazine and Alex Brosas of Bandera, meanwhile, were hailed as runners-up of the pageant. Both were given P5,000 cash prize, P5,000 worth of services from CUT-Encarnacion Group of Salon and gift packs from UK Derm Pharma. The other 12 candidates each received a consolation prize of P1,000 cash and gift packs from UK Derm Pharma.

Kapamilya stars who added glitter to the Kapamilya Media Party were “Happy Yipee Yehey!” hosts Randy Santiago, John Estrada, and Rico J. Puno who hosted the “Tanging Hinga Mo” segment of the program; and ASAP ‘Boys R Boys’ Alex Castro, Bryan Termulo, and Markki Stroem who serenaded the beautiful candidates of “My Girl 2011.”

ABS-CBN executives, namely, entertainment head Linggit Tan, special projects head Chit Guerrero, and corporate communications head Bong Osorio also extended their appreciation and yuletide greetings to the entertainment media.

Aside from “My Girl 2011,” “Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino: Kapamilya Media Party” was filled with creative gimmicks and surprises. ‘Best in hat’ winners were Alex Datu, Mildred Bacud, Ricky Gallardo, Danny Vibas, and Glen Sibonga. While Demai Granali took home the prize for “Tanging Hinga Mo” contest. Mildred Bacud, on the other hand, has proven that she was the “Mediang Genius” of the night after she bested other contestants in answering showbiz-related trivia. “Ako ang Simula” essay writing contest winners were Pilar Mateo, Neri Almo, and Jeff Valisno. There was also a “Nasaan ka Elisa?” photo searching game which tested the press’ hunting skills.

The Kapamilya Media Christmas Party was organized by ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Division, through the help of Warren Encarnacion of CUT-Encarnacion Group of Salon; UK Derm Pharma, the makers of Erase Placenta and Erase Solution; and Hecky’s Lechon, the Cebu-style organic lechon.