During weekdays, Jojo Sebastian is a devoted and compassionate nurse in the Operating Theatre at a busy Metropolitan Hospital in Sydney. However, on weekends, this orthopaedic nurse transforms into a charming and dashing tuxedo attired pageant host and entertainer. A native of Laguna, Philippines – Jojo was born to a teacher and a businessman who migrated to Hawaii in 1997. As a child, he dabbled into performing arts – singing, dancing, and acting – primarily performing in school and community activities. This continued onto his high school and university years. Whilst it seems like Jojo, has found his calling in life, it turns out that he has another pathway to take. Pageantry is not new to Jojo. He has joined a few pageants in his younger years. The most memorable one for him was when he bagged the first runner-up for the 1996 Mister Engineering Pageant in the University of Perpetual Help in the Philippines. Besides winning, he reiterates that it’s the experience and friendships established during the pageant that made it the most unforgettable. Hence, he became a pageant host. But this was short-lived, during his family’s migration to Hawaii.
Recently he was named a finalist in the Mr. Diamond International – Australia 2020 where he will try his luck back in pageantry after more than 25 years of absence. Moving to Australia in 2010 to pursue nursing. Jojo has only become active once more in pageant hosting two years ago when he got invited to host Miss and Mrs. Sydney Charity 2017. “I absolutely love it. I can be my silly self on stage. And I get to dress up in a tuxedo and be the life of the show. I enjoy that.” Jojo said in his most recent message. In 2020 so far, Jojo has hosted and co-hosted a total of 3 pageants compare to in 2019 where he hosted at least 14 pageants. The pageants he hosted and co-hosted this year include Miss Mardigras International Queen 2020; Miss Supermodel WorldWide 2020, and one of the most prestigious pageants in the world – Miss Earth Australia 2020. In 2021, he hosted Mrs and Miss Glamour Look Australia, and Miss World Universal Pageant. Asides from pageant hostings, he has been invited to hosts numerous events which include weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, fashion shows, awards ceremonies, community, and charity events. However, amongst all events, his favourite and considers most memorable is when he hosted his sibling’s weddings. His nomination and win as the Best Pageant Host on the recently concluded Australian Golden Sash Awards 2020. This is the second year in a row where he won the Best Pageant Host Category. For Jojo, being nominated is already an achievement, however, winning is just another feat. Like his nursing career, Jojo developed a passion for pageant hosting. For him, each pageant has a unique mission, however, he ultimately believes in promoting inner beauty as opposed to outer beauty. He believes that pageantry should not promise candidates fame and fortune. Instead, it should promote to each candidate making new friends, enhancing self-confidence, establishing self-esteem, forging unforgettable experience, and becoming a productive member of the society by making a positive impact on others. For this pageant host, these are the essence of Australian Pageantry. (JAS)
InLife International recently caught up with Jojo to discuss his journey in the pageant industry and here’s what went down:
1. How did you decide to be a professional MC?
Back in my elementary days, I was very active in participating in school programs and events. And it seems like I always get the task of either performing, managing, and/or hosting each event. And as I grow up, and reach high school, I ease into the role. Because I was always tapped to host school function which includes pageantry. My classmate then started inviting me to host their debut celebration which came natural to me since I was confident enough to speak in public. As time passes by, the hosting invitations became more frequent, so I decided to become professional. As they say, when you start getting paid you are turning professional. One of my inspirations in pursuing and honing my hosting skills is my mother – Josephine Sebastian. She is very natural, witty, and entertaining. I definitely got my abilities and talents from my mom.
2. What was your first big break in the industry?
My first big break in the industry in Australia is when I was given the opportunity to host Miss and Mrs. Sydney Charity 2017 produced by FACAES. I know this was considered a small pageant. However, this paved the way for me to return to hosting pageantry. I totally have missed the adrenaline rush when I am on stage. My main goal is to ensure that I provide the finalist the time she/he needed to shine. By doing so, the judges and audience can see the part of the finalist. It does feel great most times, that I am once again back on stage where I feel at home.
3. What is your dream MCing job?
Besides hosting the Miss Earth Australia 2021, I would love to host an international pageant such as Mrs. Universe if it gets held here in Sydney. That would be another level. For sure it will be a great experience to go through. I would also love to get a chance to host my own evening show. And host the Arias or the Oscars.
4. Who are your favorite MCs?
I love the hosting skills of Ryan Seacrest and the wit of Steve Harvey. However, it is my mom whom I consider my favourite.
5. If you weren’t an MC, what would you do within the entertainment industry?
Besides being an artist which I am pursuing now. I believed I would have pursued my passion for acting. However, the acting bug kinda left me and the singing bug stayed. I recently released my Christmas Album entitled “Christmas aint Christmas Without You” produced by Mr. Oliver Gadista of Mojo Studios. I do hope to pursue singing and recording in the coming year 2021. Additionally, I am back on the small screen – via 2 Queens and a King produced by TV1 Australia.
6. How do you stay fit and healthy?
I ensure that I stay active all week. Being a registered nurse, it is imperative that I keep fit and healthy. Although it is difficult because of my rotating schedule. However, I just needed to make time. I do a lot of cardio because it helps me with my vocals as well. Currently, I am trying to improve my health by concentrating on the things I eat.
7. Is there much work around for MCs?
Honestly, there is more than meets the eye. You need to actually learn more than just your lines. It takes more than just reading from the script. What I have learned is that you need to become the light of the program. Because as an MC you will be tasked to keep the phase and momentum of the program from the beginning until the end. So as I am preparing for a show, I ensure that I get more information than what was needed. This helps me prepare myself for adlibs and reacting accordingly when there are minor difficulties and problems encountered during the show.
8. When you’re not busy being an MC, what are some of your favorite things to do?
I love to paint. All my hosting gigs were canceled and placed on hold this year due to the health pandemic since March. And I discovered my love to create through painting. I also love to plant, it seems that I inherited my dad’s (Jaime Sebastian) green thumb. However, recently I went back to writing.
Pageantry is something innate in my family. I have numerous Aunts, both Male and Female cousins who are very active in pageantry back in the Philippines and Hawaii. I found myself interlaced with pageantry at the very young age of 7. Where I represented the country – USA in the Mr and Miss United Nations held at my primary school – South City Homes Academy, Binan, Laguna Philippines. I remembered being crown Mr. United Nations. That paved the way for me to be interested in pageantry. However, I actually just realised what impact pageantry had on me, in high school. Most of my classmates who joined pageantry approaches me and asks me to help them out with their talent. Normally it would be an interpretative dance or a national ethnic dance. An experience I can never forget was when a Filipino-Indian classmate approached me to teach her a Bollywood Dance. This was in 1994. I took on the challenge and we won best in talent! That’s how I got into pageantry.
In regards to being discovered, I was discovered in male pageantry in college. When I joined Mr. Engineering 1996 at the University of Perpetual Help in Laguna. I represented the sophomore year. It was a very unforgettable experience because not only I have won 4 minor awards. I also placed 1st Runner Up at the coronation night. That started me joining pageants. And 20 years, I am once again throwing my hat in pageantry – when I represent NSW and Australia in the Mr. Diamond International 2021 to be held in Brisbane this coming April 2021.
9. How do you relax?
To relax I do various things. It includes painting, gardening, singing, meditating but especially getting relaxation massage.
10. What is your go-to everyday outfit?
I have found myself increasingly busier in the last few months with singing, nursing, and hosting work. I feel like I am constantly running around the Blacktown to Sydney and everywhere in between. When this happens, my go-to outfit is usually a pair of RM Williams, black jeans, a button-up short sleeve, and a nice jacket… Super comfy- but not exactly “trendy”.
11. Given the competitiveness and the speed of the industry how do you ensure you stand out?
I keep myself current by keeping my skills in check and ensuring that my information is up to date. I also love doing and trying new things when it comes to hosting. By doing so, you keep yourself in front of the industry. Keeping current does not mean totally forgetting your foundation, instead, you just need to hone your new skills set with your foundation and evolve into your own unique style
