MANILA, Philippines – For the past 12 weeks, pageant aficionados have been glued to Umagang Kay Ganda’s “Gwapulis” search every Friday morning. The search produced 15 police hunks who fought it out on the semi-finals during the past two weeks. Six grand finalists emerged and will face off on Friday, Oct. 14.
Fans have observed that the cops are showbiz dead-ringers among them Mark Herras, Alden Richards, Gardo Verzosa, Daniel Padilla, Reuben Manahan, Richard Yap, Eric Quizon, Luis Alandy, Joem Bascon, Piolo Pascual and Mark Lapid.
The “Gwapulis” phenomenon started in 2014 when Mariano Perez Flormata Jr. (a.k.a. Neil Perez) won the top prize at the Misters of Filipinas Pageant and went on to win the prestigious Mister International tilt. A year later, Don MacGyver Cochico became Manhunt-Philippines 2015. A few weeks ago, Police Inspector Chriz Dulagan won the Man of the World-Philippines title in the same national tilt. This year’s “Gwapulis” grand finals contenders are:
1. PO1 Norman Wileman III, “Singing Police Ng Camp Bagong Diwa”
2. PO1 Willy Quinto, “Dancing Police Ng Valenzuela City”
3. PO1 Mark Florence Iglesias, “Rakiterong Parak Ng Rodriguez Rizal”
4. PO1 Dennis Keliag, “Mr. P.O. Simpatiko Ng La Union”
5. PO1 Mark Christian Sioco, “Hottie Officer Ng Caloocan”
6. PO3 Ernesto Dingcong Jr., “Dad Bod Officer Ng Rizal”