MATIKAS, marangal, marunong, makatao (fit, honorable, intelligent and humanitarian) is the motto of this year’s Hari ng Pilipinas-Negros Occidental.Joelito Aspan, who was last year’s Bacolod representative to the national pageant, said the pageant’s motto speaks of its thrust to promote not just the tourism of Negros Occidental but also to discover talented young men.Now the provincial director of the pageant, he said they aim to provide opportunities for these male candidates to hone their talents, enhance their community involvement, promote their respective advocacies, and boost their self-confidence.For the first time, they will hold the pageant in the provincial level wherein the winner and the first runner-up will represent the province in the national level in October this year in Ormoc City.The nine official candidates are Jerad de la Raga of Bacolod City, Joshua Seth Bojo of Cadiz City, Marx Louie Justiniani of Don Salvador Benedicto, Joppy Castillo of Isabela, Jezzrell Jule Jaboneta of La Carlota City, Wyndale Divino of Murcia, Darryl Philip Orig of Sagay City, Rommel Guanzon of San Enrique and Karis Liame Dolorosa of Victorias.They were formally introduced through a press conference and a sashing ceremony on Friday, May 13, at the Northwest Inn on Rizal Street in Bacolod City.Prior to the preliminary competition on May 24 at the Bantug Ranch in Barangay Alangilan in Bacolod City and the pageant on May 24 at Northwest Inn, several activities were lined up, among which is the public speaking training under the Toast Masters and make-up tutorial under renowned local stylist Carlos Durana.Aspan said that unlike other pageants, they screened the applicants and ensured that they passed the needed standards of good looks, decent character, and good speaking skills.“Each candidate also promotes their advocacy that has a connection with their local government unit’s tourism,” he said.Part of the proceeds from the ticket sales of the pageant will go to the Mission of Charity House of Joy in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City.