🏈BEN SIAO

Pageant boy. Model. Corporate professional. Gym regular. Manga and manhwa enthusiast. Ben Siao has somehow figured out how to fit several different lives into one very busy schedule—and he’s doing it while competing in Mister and Miss Chinatown Global Philippines 2026.

For Ben, the secret is knowing his priorities and having the right people around him. Between corporate meetings, modeling gigs, workouts, and pageant rehearsals, he admits that the schedule can be a lot, but having supportive colleagues makes the juggling act a little easier. By day, he works as a Mandarin IT Helpdesk for a Chinese IT company, helping with tech support. After office hours, he can easily switch into model mode, then pageant mode, proving that his calendar is probably more intimidating than any runway.

And yes, he has been modeling for more than a decade—which officially makes him one of the “nyoras,” or senior models, of the bunch. Ben(under Muse Models) calls it bittersweet. He takes pride in having stayed in the industry for so long, while also wondering when his modeling chapter might eventually come to an end. But if there’s one thing his years of experience have taught him, it’s that there is always something to learn. He gives advice when needed but remains just as open to receiving it, believing that everyone has something to teach regardless of age.

Pageantry, however, is a whole different runway. Serving FACE is already second nature after more than ten years in modeling, but serving ANSWERS onstage is another story. Ben admits that the Q&A portion is harder because confidence only takes you so far when you’re suddenly asked about a topic you haven’t been keeping up with. Still, he’s willing to take on the challenge—and if the pageant opens the door to acting, he’s not exactly running away from it. Actor Ben? Pelikula Ben? He says if fate takes him there, he’s willing.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Ben is how easily he moves between different worlds. Growing up with a Chinese dad and Filipino mom, he learned early on how to navigate different cultures and personalities. Add multiple jobs, different circles of friends, countless interests, and you get someone who has mastered the art of switching gears. His fierce model face may be his default setting, but those closest to him know that the real Ben is much more smiley-smiley commercial boy.

Right now, he describes himself with one very fitting title: Mr. Crossroad. He admits he’s at a bit of a crossroads in life, figuring out what comes next while continuing to show up for everything he has committed to. And when the lights finally go off, the cameras stop rolling, and the corporate laptop is closed, Ben returns to his favorite things: sleeping, binge-reading manga and manhwa, and watching just about anything that catches his attention. His biggest enemy isn't the pageant Q&A or a demanding workday—it’s a cliffhanger. Sometimes, he says, the only thing that can make him stop reading is running out of chapters.

For now, Ben Siao is doing what he knows best: showing up, switching gears, and keeping all his worlds moving.Whether he ends up with a crown, another runway, a new career chapter, or even a movie role, this COOL Varsity boy is clearly not done figuring out what comes next. COOL is rooting for you! #CoolisinSession

Photography: Rxandy Capinpin

Styling: Edrick Paz

Grooming: Mycke Arcano