MEET THE JUDGES

JASON JONES

Jason is an American movie producer, humanitarian, and grassroots activist. Read Full Bio | View Testimonial

Film Producer. Jones began his film production career with documentaries promoting human rights around the world. 2006 saw the release of the Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award winner, “Bella.” (Previous winners include “Chariots of Fire,” “American Beauty,” and “Life is Beautiful”.) Metanoia Films, where Jones is a producer, has several films in production.

Humanitarian. Jones’ extensive humanitarian work is directed to the human person as a whole regardless of race, creed, or ability. He is the founder of HERO (Human-Rights Education and Relief Organization), a non-profit that promotes human dignity in all stages of life through international education and relief programs; the Great Campaign which has pulled together a network of organizations with diverse mission statements to promote the intrinsic dignity of the human person as the foundation for all philanthropic and charitable works; and Bella HERO and Bella On Campus, programs aimed at promoting beauty and truth in culture by featuring free screenings of the feature film Bella for college students. Jones’ most recent work has taken him to Darfur with the Persecution Project in an effort to not only raise awareness of the situation in Darfur but to aid refugees by drilling wells in the region, distributing medicine, and other relief efforts.

Grassroots Activist. Jones has worked, since the age of 17, in various capacities and positions as an on the ground promoter of human rights. He began his activism by going door to door and since then has appeared on numerous radio and television talk shows; he has delivered hundreds of speeches from coffee shops to stadiums; and has worked on campaigns from the state house to the White House. A few highlights from Jones’ 20 year career in community service include working as field director for PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) in Hawaii, as Chief-of-Staff for Hawaii State Representative Mark Moses, and as the national grassroots director for Brownback for President 2008. Hide Bio

Angela Perez Baraquio

Born in Hawaii, Filipina Angela Perez Baraquio made history as the first Asian-American and teacher ever to be crowned Miss America.
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Coming from a large and devoutly Catholic family of 10, faith and tradition are important to Angela. Born in Hawaii, Filipina Angela Perez Baraquio made history as the first Asian-American and teacher ever to be crowned Miss America. As Miss America 2001, Angela’s message of hope and inspiration has reached extensive audiences through media appearances such as USA Today’s "Make A Difference Day," and the "5 Minutes with Miss America Tour." In addition to these she co-hosted the pro-life TV series "Facing Life: Head On" with Jason Illian from the Bachelor, appeared on Good Morning America, Late Night with David Letterman, Hollywood Squares, Hannity and Colmes and Hannity's Great American Panel.

Angela is the recipient of the 2003 Women Helping Women Award from the Soroptimist International Club and was appointed to President George W. Bush’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a two-year term. After the death of her brother Angela became even more fervent in her efforts to protect life, recorded a Christian based tribute CD for her brother, and continues to share her moving testimony in her appearances today. Hide Bio

Eduardo Verastegui

Eduardo is an internationally successful film, television, and pop star. Read Full Bio | View Testimonial

Eduardo is an internationally successful film, television, and pop star. He began his career with the Mexican pop sensation Kairo, performing sold out concerts in over 13 countries. He continued his success in film--starring such projects as CSI:Miami, Charmed, Karen Cisco, and movies such as Meet Me In Miami and Chasing Papi. Unhappy with the portrayal of Mexicans in film Eduardo set out to change not only his own image but that of his beloved country and its people.

Teaming up with friends Alejandro Monteverde and Leo Severino, the trio founded Metanoia Films, a production company committed to projects that entertain, engage, and inspire, in 2004. Visiting an abortion clinic in order to research his role for Bella, his first film with Metanoia, Eduardo came across a couple outside the clinic; he spoke with them and they changed their minds—today that baby’s name is Eduardo. This was a pivotal moment in Eduardo’s commitment to change.

Today, in addition to his work as an actor, Eduardo is involved in many humanitarian endeavors. He created the Foundation for Guadalupe which helps build and rebuild new homes in poor towns of Mexico, supports a charity that gives eye glasses to children in Houston and Mexico, is a passionate defender of the unborn and advocate of adoption. He was named International Ambassador of Adoption by the White House and recently made the film Hard Truth, a movie encouraging people to spare the lives of their children rather than aborting them. Eduardo’s commitment to protecting life affects everything that he does—whether he’s making a movie, bringing food and water to thousands of people in Sudan, or assisting the cancer ridden in orphanages and hospitals. "Start doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible," Eduardo once said, "and you will soon see yourself doing the impossible." Hide Bio