Wilbert Tolentino

Wilbert Ting Tolentino (born May 18, 1975) is a Filipino entrepreneur, restaurateur, philanthropist and a vlogger. Tolentino owns bars, a spas, restaurants and trading business.

He is a beauty pageant producer. He regularly serves as a judge for other beauty pageants like Miss Earth 2018 in November, and Miss Asia Pacific International 2017. Tolentino founded and produced several pageants and competitions: Miss F Universe, Mr. Fahrenheit/Mr. Gay World Philippines, Miss Earth Fahrenheit & Fahrenheit Look of the Year.

He earned the first Mr. Gay World Philippines in 2009, and competed for Mr. Gay World 2009 in Whistler, Canada. Tolentino is an LGBTQ advocate awarded as one of Philippine's “Outstanding Men and Women“ of 2019. Tolentino was the first openly gay Filipino man to compete in an international pageant. He went on to compete in Mr Gay World winning Mr. Gay Popularity and Best in National Costume in 2009. As of September 2016, he is the national director of MGWF. In March 2019, Tolentino received a special award at the “Phenomenal Stars of Philippine Cinema” event, Global Entrepreneur of the Year. He serves on the Quezon City Pride Council.

In recognition of frontline health workers he is starting a reality show competition to reward cash prizes. In September 2020, he started a virtual pageant, Miss GCQ or Miss Gandang Contesera Quest, to support pageant contestants until a regular season resumes.

Early and personal life
Wilbert Ting Tolentino was born in Binondo, Manila with Chinese-Filipino parents. He is a businessman and owner of Fahrenheit Cafe & Fitness Center or F Philippines, a gay membership club situated in the main street of Quezon City, and he runs various health spas. Tolentino is one of the board of directors of Quezon City Pride Council that promotes HIV/AIDS awareness to LGBT community. Tolentino studied at Lorenzo Ruiz Academy in Manila's Chinatown center and continued his college years at University of Santo Tomas for few units.

In My Puhunan: Kaya Mo!, Tolentino revealed to Karen Davila that he ventured into different businesses. As restaurateur, he opened on January 2023 a Japanese restaurant at Quezon City led by a chef from Japan, Sebastian See. He chose as business partner his ex-boyfriend.

Pageant career
Tolentino was 2009's Mr. Gay World Philippine representative and is currently the national director for Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization. He was appointed to represent the Philippines and the competition was held in Whistler, Canada. He was Mr. Gay Popularity, Best in National Costume, Best in Formal Wear and Sports Challenge Winner.

Prior to Mr. Gay World 2009, Wilbert competed for the Mr. Gay Philippines in 2007 and landed only 2nd runner up. He bagged numerous special awards such as Best in Casual Wear, Best in Talent, Congeniality Award, Photographer's Choice Award and Mr. Popularity.

He also joined in a local noon time variety show in ABS-CBN, It's Showtime's I am Pogay contest in 2014 and landed as a weekly finalist.

Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 - 2023
Tolentino took over the franchise from 2016 until 2023.

In 2016, Tolentino became the license holder for Mr. Gay World Philippines. He attributed three winners for Mr. Gay World, John Raspado Janjep Carlos and Kodie Macayan of 2017, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Joel Carcasona was the only first runner up who took over the 2021 title.

Four (4) crowns were won under his wing.

Mr. Gay World Philippines/Mister Fahrenheit was the Philippines' first male pageant for gay men and bisexuals, and the longest running, since 2003. In 2018, the production for Mister Fahrenheit merged with Mr. Gay World Philippines, with its winner representing the Philippines in Mr. Gay World. Its platform are mental health awareness, HIV/AIDS and pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness. Louie Gonzalez was the first openly gay man titleholder, when he was proclaimed as the winner.

Miss F Universe is a Miss Universe inspired pageant for gay men, bisexual men and queers. Its platforms are the fight against homophobia and transphobia.

Miss Earth Fahrenheit is a Miss Earth inspired pageant for gay men and bisexuals men and queers. Its platform is the involvement of the LGBTQI community for the preservation of nature and environment.

Fahrenheit Look Of The Year is a male pageant for gay men and bisexuals men which began in 2006. Its platform is to advocate programs and laws for the protection of the gay youth.

Facebook online challenges
Because of the worldwide COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Tolentino started multiple online benefit competitions starting in March 2020 for "drag queens, gay contestants, male contestants, social media influencers, entertainment and pageant media, pet owners community and singer-songwriters" to raise funds for the contestants and their families who had lost income.

COVID-19
On July 24, 2020, Tolentino experienced mild symptoms of sore eyes. Eventually it became severe and on August 2, he was hospitalized for testing positive and having symptoms of Covid Pneumonia in critical severe state with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He had a survival chances of 20% and was intubated in CCU at St. Luke's Hospital in Quezon City.

Youtuber
In October 2020, Tolentino started publishing a vlog on YouTube.

Madam Inutz
In April, 2021, Daisy Cabantog aka Madam Inutz signed a management contract with Wilbert Tolentino.

Madam Inutz is a viral sensation online seller during pandemic that made her famous. She recorded four singles: Inutil, Sangkap ng Pasko, Madam and Marites.

Tolentino entered Inutz to Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10 and finished fourth.

Herlene Budol
In February 2022, Herlene Budol signed a management contract with Tolentino.

Under Tolentino's management, Herlene Budol joined Binibing Pilipinas 2022 and finished 1st Runner Up. Budol bagged (8) eight special awards: Bb. Pizza Hut, Bb. Shein, Bb. Silka, Jag Jeans Denim Quenn, Bb. World Balance, Manila Bulletin Choice Award, Bb. Kumu, Bb. Black Water.

After the pageant, Budol signed various endorsement deals, TV appearances, and recording labels.

Tolentino has produced a single "Gandang Hipon" which means Beautiful Shrimp in English, under Kafreshness Records.

Budol became a lead role in a TV Mini series called "Magandang Dilag" on GMA Network.

Tolentino also entered Budol to Miss Planet International in Kampala, Uganda. However, the pageant was postponed and Budol withdrew. Instead Tolentino entered Budol to Miss Grand Philippines a year after and won Miss Philippines Tourism. Budol bagged 5 awards: Best in Runway, Miss Ever Bilena, Miss Arena Plus, Miss Mermaid Manila Hair, Miss Blue Water Day Spa.

On July of 2023, Tolentino terminated his management contract with Budol due to health reasons and devote ample time to his child and family.