Students to compete for Mr., Ms. Asia titles

Traditional costumes, Asian cultural trivia and a talent show will all determine who gets the title at this year’s “Mr. and Ms. Asia.” \nThe ninth annual “Mr. and Ms. Asia” begins at 6 p.m. Sunday in the IU Auditorium. \nThe event will help celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, said junior and Asian Student Union member Brandon Tran. \nThe event began as a way to unite all the various Asian student organizations, said Asian Student Union member and senior Dee Wanapun. \n“Mr. and Ms. Asia” also helps show people all the different Asian cultures, said senior and Asian Student Union member Evita Luminto. \nThe event will begin with all contestants walking in traditional clothing from each culture, Luminto said. \nThere will be two contestants from student groups such as the Asian American Association, the Chinese Student and Scholar Association, the Filipino Student Association, Japanese Student Association and the Kazakh Student Association, according to IU Bloomington’s student activities calendar. \nThe competition will then challenge contestants with trivia questions about Asian culture and about IU, Luminto said. \nAfter the question and answer session, contestants are expected to perform a traditional dance or performance that best reflects their culture, Luminto said. \n“They win because they show their culture the best,” Luminto said.\nContestants have opportunities to win in the categories of Mr. or Ms. Congeniality, Mr. and Ms. Popular and the 2008 Mr. and Ms. Asia. \nAudience members will have the opportunity to pick the winners for Mr. and Ms. Popular, Luminto said.\nWanapun said the whole process helps bring students together because they have to practice for the event at least once a week. She said most students get more involved with various Asian student organizations after they participate in the event. \nBesides the contestants competing for the titles of Mr. and Ms. Asia, student organizations will also have an opportunity to perform a traditional dance.\nSophomore Courtney Amelia said she is performing the traditional dance “Vinta” with the Filipino Student Association.\nThe dance, which will be performed using bamboo sticks, is meant to represent a boat, Amelia said. \nAmelia, along with members of the Asian Student Union, said everyone should come out.\n“It’s a good cultural experience,” Amelia said. “It’s fun to support your friends, too.”