The winner of the first ever online competition by McJIM Classic Leather dubbed as the 2013 Elan Awards has been proclaimed! Asian sensation Christian Bautista has been chosen as the epitome of the Modern Filipino Gentleman.

The winner was chosen by popular vote; the votes were cast on the Official Facebook Fan Page of McJIM Classic Leather. The award has been established by the leather brand to find and honor the best role models for style and elegance among today’s Filipino gentlemen.


The announcement was made in a media event held at the 55 Events Place in Quezon City few weeks ago. The finalists were chosen from a lengthy list of entertainment, fashion, sports, music, and public service personalities.

“We are glad that Mr. Christian Bautista has been judged to represent the best in what is truly Filipino. As a singer, Mr. Bautista has an international fan base, proving that Filipino talent and passion has no bounds. He shows us that the Filipino stands proud and can hold his own with any other race or nationality. Mr. Bautista is an inspiration to us all for his sense of style, his Filipino values and manners, and his drive to succeed,” said 2013 Élan Awards Project Head Chris Cahilig.

As the 2013 Élan Man, Christian Bautista will be awarded the prestigious Élan trophy, designed by acclaimed contemporary Filipino artist Igan D’Bayan; 100,000 pesos; and a year’s supply of McJIM Classic Leather products. The Élan Awards will also donate 100,000 pesos to Bautista’s favorite charity, World Vision.

Chistian Bautista was picked from among 12 stellar finalists. His co-finalists included Senator-elect Sonny Angara; actor and director Dingdong Dantes; celebrity food blogger Erwan Heussaff; actor Xian Lim; acclaimed actor Coco Martin; actor and producer Piolo Pascual; singer and businessman Richard Poon; actor and fitness enthusiast Derek Ramsay; actor and singer Jericho Rosales; professional basketball athlete, businessman, and TV host 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 three criteria: a. Elegance of Style; b. Refinement; and c. Accomplishment

In an official statement, McJIM Classic Leather said it was very pleased over Bautista’s victory. It said that Bautista is a perfect choice as winner because the award highlights the fact that Filipino talent is respected in the world and is capable of great accomplishment—qualities that Bautista possesses as an international performer and recording artist.

The 2013 Élan Awards trophy was designed by Filipino visual artist and writer Igan D’Bayan. D’Bayan has held several sold out exhibitions that gained critical and popular acclaim. He is also an art columnist and illustrator for a major Philippine broadsheet.


Cahilig added that the overriding purpose of the award is to inspire Filipino men “to live the life and apply the values of a true gentleman of the Philippines” and that Christian Bautista exemplifies this gentlemanly lifestyle. He also said that they were overwhelmed by the response of Filipinos to the online search for the 2013 Elan Awards winner. “Filipinos from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and even across the globe, all responded by Liking our page, nominating, and voting for their candidates.”

The criteria for the 2013 Elan Awards, which include elegance in style, refinement, and accomplishment, are also represented in the prizes that the winner receives. The supply of McJIM Classic Leather represents stylish elegance in their manufacture and design while the cash prize represents the success and accomplishment that the winner has achieved.

“We note in particular the trophy that we had especially designed for the awards. The trophy was designed by a person of notable accomplishment, in this case it’s Igan D’Bayan. We wanted Mr. D’Bayan to create a trophy that is, by itself, a work of Art: it represents refinement in manners, values, and etiquette—the true Filipino gentleman. “Through this competition, even we at McJIM Classic Leather learned a valuable lesson: our Filipino youth’s ideals are alive and well. Their participation in this competition signals that they are at one with, and are ready to uphold, the ideals that make us true Filipino gentlemen. 


“The Elan Award is a celebration and a challenge: it reminds us of our calling to be Filipino gentlemen wherever we are—to be proud of being Filipino, to be stylish, refined, and to accomplish great things for ourselves and our nation,” said Cahilig. The eleven other Élan Awards finalists will receive certificate of recognition and a six-month supply of McJIM products.