CHiNOY TV Launches New Documentary and Partners with Virtual Playground Co. for Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Philippines
Manila City – In celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, as well as the 15th anniversary of CHiNOY TV — the country’s premier platform for Chinese Filipino stories — the network unveiled a special new documentary titled Chinese by Blood, Global by Heart. This international adaption of the acclaimed Chinese by Blood, Filipino by Heart expanded its focus from the Chinese Filipino experience to the broader global Chinese diaspora, sharing narratives that reflect how identity, heritage, and purpose intersect in a rapidly connected world.
Ahead of its broadcast, an exclusive screening was held on June 7, 2025, at the Red Carpet Cinema in Shangri-La Plaza. Guests were treated to a one-hour preview of the documentary, which featured behind-the-scenes moments from the inaugural year of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global (MMCG).
(From Left to Right: MMCG Ambassador Chiara Lim, MMCG Ambassador Jastine Lim, MMCG Ambassador Gwyneth Jao, Ms. Chinatown Global 2025 2nd-Runner Up Jenina Lui, Ms. Chinatown Global 2025 1st-Runner Up Juliette Louie, Ms. Chinatown Global 2025 Khryss Go, Owner of Christelle by Nannette, Nannette Ibasco, COO of CHiNOY TV Loraine Tan, and President of Virtual Playground Co. Charlie Dy, Executive Director of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Mikko Araneta, General Manager of Virtual Playground Co. Mark Salamat, President of CHiNOY TV Alvin Kingson Tan, Virtual Playground Co. Entertainment Handler Griffin Villanueva, Mr. Chinatown Global 2025 Byron Sng, Mr. Chinatown Global 2025 1st Runner-Up Aragon Lor, Mr. Chinatown Global 2025 2nd Runner-Up Joseph Morris, MMCG Ambassador Jeric Mendoza, and MMCG Ambassador Francis Ngo)
The event also marked the formal contract signing between CHiNOY TV and Virtual Playground Co., the official franchise holder for Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Philippines. Virtual Playground Co. will handle the local pageant, which serves as the national competition selecting representatives who will compete internationally against other Huaren contestants from around the world for Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Year 2, scheduled to take place in February next year as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
CHiNOY TV and Virtual Playground Co.’s Contract Signing for Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Philippines (From Left to Right: Mikko Araneta, Executive Director of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global, Loraine Tan, COO of CHiNOY TV, Charlie Dy, President of Virtual Playground Co. and Mark Salamat, General Manager of Virtual Playground Co. )
“It is a great honor for us at Virtual Playground Co. to take on this meaningful role,” said Charlie Dy, President of Virtual Playground Co. “As we embark on this journey, we are committed to uplifting the Chinoy community by celebrating individuals who carry with them the pride, heritage, and potential of Chinese-Filipino excellence.”
During the event, the six winners of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Year 1 — Byron Sng from Malaysia, Khryss Go and Aragon Lor from the Philippines, Juliette Louie from Hong Kong, and Joseph Morris and Jenina Lui from Australia — explained the objective of the pageant: to celebrate Chinese heritage while fostering cultural pride and unity within the global Huaren community. They highlighted how winners from the Philippines’ local Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global Philippines pageant will advance to compete on the international stage alongside Huaren representatives from various countries.
(From Left to Right: Joseph Morris from Australia – Mr. Chinatown Global 2025 2nd Runner-Up, Aragon Lor from the Philippines – Mr. Chinatown Global 2025 1st Runner-Up, Byron Sng from Malaysia – Mr. Chinatown Global 2025, Khryss Go from the Philippines – Ms. Chinatown Global 2025, Juliette Louie from Hong Kong – Ms. Chinatown Global 2025 1st Runner-Up, and Jenina Lui from Australia – Ms. Chinatown Global 2025 2nd Runner-Up)
The screening also featured the launch of Hua Magazine, whose debut issue was distributed to attendees and prominently featured the pageant winners. Additionally, the documentary shared intimate stories of 20 Huaren individuals from China, Australia, Hong Kong, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, emphasizing their diverse experiences and shared cultural identity.
Chinese by Blood, Global by Heart will premiere on June 29, 2025, at 8:30 PM on the Bilyonaryo News Channel — Free TV Channel 31, Cignal Channel 24, Converge Channel 74, and SkyCable Channel 33. New episodes will air every Sunday at 8:30 PM, with replays every Saturday at 8:30 PM. Each episode will share inspiring stories of strength, transformation, and heritage from Huaren communities worldwide.