14 July 2014 - The Philippine Basketball League in Lebanon (PHILBALL), committee organizer of the lone annual basketball and volleyball tournament for Filipinos in Lebanon, held its annual search for Mr. and Ms. PHILBALL on July 6 at the St. Francis Church Auditorium in Hamra, Beirut.

The event was a fundraiser to support the upcoming 2014 PHILBALL Basketball and Volleyball Tournament.  Thirteen (13) Filipino community organizations were represented in the pageant: Bakod, RP Eagles, Chopsticks, Filipino Community Association/FCA, Western Visayas Association in Lebanon/WEVAL, Filipino Investment Association/FIVA, Manila Samafil, Filipino Workers Association in Metn/FILWAM, Solid Brothers, Rockers, Mistah, VIP Pasaway and OFW Magbaysay.

Consul Dennis John Briones, the Embassy’s head of the Consular and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Section, delivered the message of Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, commending PHILBALL for its commitment to unite Filipinos in Lebanon through the annual sports tournament and urging the committee members to be judicious and transparent in the management of their resources received from the participants and sponsors. He also reiterated the Embassy’s support for the annual sports event.

The highlight of the event was the parade of the male and female contestants in their formal and sports attires. Mr. Erwin Gona and Ms. Catherine Boco of Manila-Samafil were declared Mr. and Ms. PHILBALL 2014, with Mr. Rey Aberca and Ms. Emely Bonsilao from Chopstick team as 1st Runner-up, Mr. Jhun Sy and Charmie Persy Martin from Mistah team as 2nd Runner-up.  Ms. Marice Oberez (WEVAL) won Best in Gown, Mr. Edmond Dela Cruz won as Best in Suit (BAKOD), Mr. Albert Gabad (FILWAM) as Best in Sports Wear (male), Ms. Gemma Division (RP Eagles) as Best in Sports Wear (female) and Mr. Rey Aberca and Ms. Emely Bonsilao (Chopsticks), Mister & Miss Friendship. END