09 October 2013--The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that Filipino hairdressers and makeups artists emerged victorious in the 17th Asia Pacific Hair and Make-Up Olympics held on October 6 and 7 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center.
Filipino make-up artist Ronald Esperanzate and hairdresser Jason Hisola brought honors to the country, as the former won third place in the Bridal Make-up category, while the latter won fourth place honors in Ladies Designer Haircut and Men’s Avant-Garde Haircut category.
This merited a third place finish for the Philippine contingent. First place honors went to Taiwan, while host country Malaysia won second place.
“Filipino skill and artistry is again recognized in the Asia-Pacific. On behalf of the Embassy, I congratulate the winners and the members of the contingent for their excellent showing, and I hope that this would inspire our hairdressers and make-up artists to excel more in their craft,” Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said during the group’s courtesy call on October 8.
“We would also like to congratulate Ricky Reyes for bringing this talented delegation,” he added.
The Asia Pacific Hair and Make-up Olympics is an annual event since 1997 and is organized by Asia Pacific hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (APHCA). 
APHCA is the biggest association of beauty practitioners in the entire Asia Pacific with members Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Noted hairdresser Ricky Reyes is the overall President of the APHCA for the past 15 years.
The aim of the event is to strengthen and unite the hair and beauty practitioners in the Asia Pacific region. END