Mr. Asia USA pageant slated to benefit hospice for HIV patients in Thailand.

30 Contestants vie for Mr. Asia USA 2007

Los Angeles, CA - The Kasetsart University Alumni Association of USA (KU Alumni of USA), a non-profit organization, in cooperation with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, will host its third annual gala dinner, “The 3rd Annual Emerald Night Ball 2007,” on Saturday, April 7, 2007, 6 PM at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills (9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210) featuring MR. ASIA USA 2007 pageant. The event is expected to be a star-studded event. Recently added to roster of celebrity judges are Sunkrish Bala (Notes from the Underbelly), Cathy Shim (MAD TV, Reno 911), Kellan Lutz (Accepted).

Also known as the 3rd Annual Teppabute Nonsi Competition, KU Prince Charming, the event is part of the annual fundraising which helps humanitarian projects. Teppabute means “a prince charming” in Thai, and Nonsi is a symbol tree of Kasetsart University. This year, the pageant supports Wat Phra Baht Nam Phu, a free hospice for HIV patients in Thailand.

The competition will consist of casual wear, swimwear, and formal wear categories. Ten finalists will be selected and seven titles will be awarded. The winner of Mr. Asia-USA will receive $1,500 cash prize, crown, a certificate, a year of acting classes at JohnMichael Studio, and will be featured in an Asian models calendar. The first and second runner-ups will receive $700 and $600, respectively.

In addition to the Mr. Asia-USA title and the runners up, winners will also be selected for the special categories namely, Super Model, Super Star, Mr. Photogenic, and Mr. Popularity, for which each will receive $500. It is noted that each contestant can win up to two titles, with cash prizes up to $2,000.

The selected top 30 candidates were presented to the international media on March 4, 2007, via media conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Rigid rehearsals started on March 18, 2007. The first public appearance of the final candidates will be at the upcoming Thai New Year Parade on April 1st at 9:00 a.m.