(Mr. Pogi 2012 Grand Finalist)
(Top from Left: Chryst, Kelvin, Robert, John Edric, Akeem, John Paul, Roehl, Bryann)
(Down from Left: Rommel, Mc Jonnel, Justin, Bonz, Jaylord, Manuel Pablo, Marcus, Frederick)
Eat Bulaga, the Philippines' longest running noontime show launch its search for the country's next TV Heartthrobs last June of 2012. The search aims to discover talented and handsome guys that will eventually bring "KILIG" to all televiewers. A new twist in the segment let the guys showcase not only their talent but their acting prowess as well plus the fact that they would have to think of a look-alike artist which soon rise to the phrase: "Gulat kayo no? Kala niyo si Robert Pattinson 'tong nasa harap niyo no? Nagkakamali kayo!".
The search lasted about 4 months and had its search not only from the Metro or Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao. The search ended last September 5, 2012, having Frederick Lim II and Marcus Paolo Reyes as grand finalists coming from the province of Zamboanga. Initially, there were only 13 Mr. Pogi grand finalists but the wild card edition soon aired the next day with Roehl Mendoza, Bryann Jaofrancia, and Manuel Pablo Tonido winning in a triple tie.
The official Grand Finalists was then introduced last September 7, 2012:
#1 Chryst Josef Almazar from Sta. Rosa, Lazuna
#2 Kelvin Engles from Sta. Ana, Manila
#3 Robert Jbeili from Pangil, Laguna
#4 John Edric Ulang from Binangonan, Rizal
#5 Franz Akeem Aldover from Valenzuela City
#6 John Paul Duray from Olongapo City
#7 Roehl Mendoza from Caloocan City
#8 Bryann Carlo Jaofrancia from Dasmariñas, Cavite
#9 Rommel Galido from Iloilo City
#10 Mc Jonel Abrenica from Cebu City
#11 Justin Merck de Jesus from Talisay City, Cebu
#12 Bonz Andre Militar from Davao City
#13 Jaylord Casiño from Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City
#14 Manuel Pablo Tonido from Camaman-An, Cagayan de Oro
#15 Marcus Paolo Reyes from Zamboanga City
#16 Frederick Lim II from Zamboanga City
The week before the Grand Finals, the guys did a series of production numbers and had their pre-judging last September 13 for finalists 1-8 and the day after for finalists 9-16 with Mr. Pogi 2006 Edgar Allan Guzman as one of the judges.
