Netizens are abuzz about model and pageant winner Alberto Rodulfo "AR" Dela Serna.
Dela Serna found himself entangled in controversy after the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) raided Lucky South 99—a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
Documents discovered during the raid cast a spotlight on Dela Serna’s connection to Herminio "Harry" Lopez Roque Jr., the spokesperson of former President Rodrigo Duterte, revealing that Dela Serna reportedly worked as Roque's "executive assistant" and held the position of Executive Assistant III with a Salary Grade 20 for most of 2021.
In addition, an "affidavit of support" was also discovered, indicating that Roque funded Dela Serna's travels to Poland, Ukraine, and Italy in October 2023.
He said in the affidavit, "He will accompany me to these countries as an invited resource person to speak on an event on the Peace Process in Ukraine which will be Kiev, Ukraine to [be] held from 13-16 October, 2023."
Roque added, "I need a travel companion since I am diabetic, with coronary stent and suffering from acute spinal stenosis."
WHO IS AR DELA SERNA, HARRY ROQUE'S EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT?
To address any doubts about Dela Serna's background and why Roque included him in his international trips, Roque revealed to News 5 in a recent interview the political background of Dela Serna's family.
He said, "Siya po ay galing sa isang political family na Dela Serna. Ang lolo po niya ay dating gobernador ng Bohol. Ang lolo niya sa side ng nanay niya ay dating vice mayor."
Read: AR Dela Serna, ano ang tunay na ugnayan kay Harry Roque?
Roque also clarified that Dela Serna’s work involved assisting him with IT concerns.
"Sila po ang nag-handle—isang grupo po iyan ng mga magbarkada—na nag-handle po ng aking IT o aking social-media presence noong ako po ay nasa Malacañang at kami po ay nasa eleksyon."
AR DELA SERNA: BACKGROUND
Before becoming an executive assistant, Dela Serna's background was primarily in business.
In a 2015 interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Dela Serna shared that he graduated with a business degree from the Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
At the time of the interview, 22-year-old Dela Serna envisioned himself working in the financial sector, aligning with his family's business aspirations.
He told PEP, "Most likely in the financial institutions po like lending or even a bank because our family before had a bank but it did not go well so I'm planning to open it soon."
AR DELA SERNA: MODELLING AND PAGEANT CAREER
Dela Serna has ventured into modeling and pageants.
In 2015, he competed in the Misters of Filipinas pageant, where he placed in the Top 10 and won the Mister Photogenic and Mister Esplanade awards.
Following the appointment of first runner-up Don MacGyver Cochico as Manhunt International Philippines, Dela Serna was subsequently promoted to the second runner-up position, filling the spot left by Kevin Fichera, who stepped up to take Cochico’s place.
Talking to PEP, AR revealed the reason he joined the pageant was "to represent the people who I've been in Bohol also because it's been a while since Bohol joined these kinds of events."
In 2016, he relinquished his runner-up position to compete in the first-ever Mister Supranational Philippines competition and subsequently to become its first titleholder.
That same year, Dela Serna represented the Philippines at the first Mister Supranational competition held in Poland.
Dela Serna secured a spot in the Top 20 with Mexico's Diego Garcy claiming the title.
According to BoholChronicle.com.ph, apart from Misters of Filipinas, Dela Serna also participated in several other male beauty pageants, such as the Sta. Lucia Generation East Model Search, where he earned the title of Mr. Generation East 2013.
In 2012, he was declared first runner-up in the Mr. Philippine Youth competition, but assumed the title of Mr. Philippine Youth 2012 in November of that year after the original winner was dethroned.
RANDOM THINGs ABOUT AR DELA SERNA
Dela Serna shared some interesting tidbits about himself in his 2015 interview with PEP.
He revealed he was once a boy scout, a role in which he acquired various skills that later helped him adapt to life in Manila after moving from Bohol.
The former model said, "Sa Boy Scout po kasi wala namang sosyal, sosyal wala namang... Kung you're in the middle of the forest, you have to use whatever resource you have.
"Like here po in Manila, I have to use whatever I have also to be here because it's very difficult to be here in Manila."
His celebrity crush back then was Kim Chiu.
AR explained, "She's very beautiful po in my eyes."
When asked what he looks for in a girl, AR said he prefers someone who is "understanding."
He further explained, "Hindi po ako nagka-crush on first look po. I have to know that person first."
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