Yue Han of China wins 11th Asian Super Model Contest

From left, 1st runner-up Su Suqi (China), champion Yeu Huan (China), and 2nd runners-up Kelly Yeap (Malaysia) and Mili Soni (India) at the 11th Asian Super Model Contest held last Dec. 16 at Imperial Pacific Resort in Garapan. (Bea Cabrera)

Twenty-one-year-old Yue Han of China bagged the 11th Asian Super Model title considered as the “most authoritative and significant” international model contest in Asia after the weeklong competition that concluded last Saturday at the Imperial Pacific Resort in Garapan.

The Asian Super Model Contest was established by China Bently Culture development Co. Ltd., Japan Modeling Agencies Association, and Korea International Modeling to show the “health, spirit, and vigor of Asian young girls and push the development of the Asian modeling industry.”

Han bested 27 aspiring models from other parts of the world such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Ubekistan.

The first runners-up were Ksenia of Russia and Su Siqi of China. Second runners-up were Mili Soni of India, Oh Sebin of Korea, and Kelly Yeap of Malaysia.

The Best T-Stage Performance Award went to Chen Yishin (Taiwan), The Best Body Award went to Jo Yeonhee (Korea), The Best Photogenic Award went to Klea Pineda (Philippines), The Most Potentiality Award went to Chenaya Aston (Australia), and The International Friendship Award went to Tashi Levett (New Zealand).

The Best Ten Asian Super Models Awards went to Sienna Harvey (Australia), Hengkai Yi (HongKong), Wang Yanzhe (Hong Kong), Namuunzul Altangerel (Mongolia), Nataporn (Thailand), Kristina Azizowa (Usbekistan), Sakai Yuka (Japan), Taniguchi Rio (Japan), Amreet Kaur (Malaysia), and Maria (Russia).

Saipan hosted the event for the first time, which was always held in Beijing, China since its inception. The event was made possible by Imperial Pacific Inc. LLC, Marianas Visitors Authority, and IT&E.

Firsova Tatiana, a famous model and a member of the jury committee that watched and judged the ladies all through out the competition, said that to be an Asian Super Super Model, standards had to be met.

“We look at the model’s stature, exotic beauty, good skin that goes with other characteristics that are equally important such as culture and artistic skills, performance, and creative abilities,” she said.

“We are excited that the contest is held here in the beautiful island of Saipan,” she added.

The event was attended by close to 500 guests—IPI executives, CNMI officials, media-local, and international audience.

Fresh from his trip from Washington, D.C., Gov. Ralph DLG Torres graced the occasion with his wife, first lady Diann Torres.

“Events being held here such as this one in the CNMI is another worthwhile activity for the island because it is a way of putting the CNMI in the map. I am excited to see the representatives of 14 different countries and glad that they were able to see the beauty of the CNMI. Thank you to IPI for continued promotions about the CNMI because continued promotion assists the economy,” he said.

Imperial Pacific Inc. majority stockholder Margaret Cui Lijie said that IPI will continue to bring in more bigger events in 2018.

“I consider Saipan as my second hometown and I will try my very best to support Saipan and to make sure that it becomes a better island,” she said

Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan) said that the Asian Super Model Contest is a wonderful opportunity for the CNMI to gain additional exposure internationally.

“This in addition to what we already have from the MVA and I know there’s a lot of international media here and a lot of visitors from several different countries because of this event. We appreciate the efforts of IPI for bringing this,” he said.

“We have just finished with the Marianas Film Festival last week and now this. I know this a huge modeling event in the international arena so for it to come all the way to Saipan is a big plus for our economic activity,” he added.

Demapan hopes that the people who were here because of the event would become repeat visitors.

“We also hope that they go back to their home countries and invite their families and friends come to the CNMI,” he said.

According to MVA managing director Chris Concepcion having sponsored this event is MVA’s way of elevating the experience for residents and tourists.

“MVA partnered with IPI and IT&E to promote the Marianas to local and international media to tell the world that there’s a lot of things to see in the Marianas,” he said.

As for supporting other beauty and modeling contests in the future, Concepcion said, “We are working with Stellar Marianas because they handle the local pageant which MVA is a sponsor. Whatever they decide to do, MVA would be happy to support it.”