FOR LIFESTYLE PAGE/JUNE 8, 2018: Mr. Supranational Philippines 2017 Yves Campos, Mr. Universe Tourism 2018 Ion Perez, Mr. International Philippines 2017 Raven Lansangan and Mr. Ocean Philippines 2017 Carlo Pasion.(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
AS THEY prepare to pass on their titles in September this year, the winners of Misters of Filipinas 2017 looked back at some of the highlights of their reign.
Cebu Daily News had the chance to talk with Mister Universe Tourism 2018 Ion Perez, Mister Ocean Philippines 2017 Carlo Pasion, Mister International Philippines 2017 Raven Lansangan, and Mister Supranational Philippines 2017 Yves Campos last Friday evening at Cafe Breeze in Bayfront Hotel.
The four title-holders spent some time in Cebu, visiting the Basilica del Santo Niño and Temple of Leah. They also went island hopping in Moalboal and enjoyed Kawasan Falls in Badian.
They were planning to go the Sirao Flower Garden and experience swimming with whale sharks in the town of Oslob.
“Matagal na plan na talaga namin since Misters of Filipinas competition pa lang plan na talaga namin mag Cebu lalo na ‘yung sa butanding (Oslob) nga,” Perez explained.
“Nag exceed po talaga ang expectations ko. Sobrang ganda po ng experience,” Lansangan said.
Solid brotherhood
All four shared about what they have learned after winning their respective titles, as well as their unforgettable experiences.
“Kung nakikita mo sa aming apat, ‘yung pinaka-nalaman ko ay kung paano i-respeto ang bawat province at tao. At ‘yung pinaka natatandaan ko talaga ay ‘yung brotherhood po,” Lansangan said.
A native of Pampanga, Lansangan represented the country last April in Myanmar at the the Mister International 2018 competition. South Korea’s Seung Hwan Lee bagged the title.
Campos, a Cebuano who represented the Filipino community of Hawaii during the pageant, said he learned that Misters of Filipinas is not just a competition but also all about brotherhood.
“It is all about gaining friends and learning from one’s experience. I think of those experiences as life lessons. We are not forever Misters of Filipinas 2017. We just want them to know you guys need to enjoy yourselves and just be happy,” said Campos, who finished in the Mister Supranational 2017 pageant, which was won by Gabriel Correa of Venezuela.
Aside from brotherhood, Campos also learned about self-discipline and responsible use of social media.
“Before, post lang nang post kami about what we want to say. But when we became winners, we became more sensitive about what we post online,” he added.
Second family
Pasion said he found a second family in Prime Event Productions Philippines, Inc., the organizing body of Misters of Filipinas.
“Yung sister ko na lang kasama ko sa buhay. Pinaka importante sa akin ay ang brotherhood kasi ngayon ko lang na feel na may second family ako. May nagmamahal ulit sa akin, aside sa sister ko. Na feel ko ang second family sa PEPS,” he siad.
A native of Laoag City, Pasion who was crowned Mr. Ocean Philippines 2017, will compete for the Mister Oceans 2018 title this October in Beijing, China.
Just like Pasion, Perez said he also found another family in PEPS.
Perez, who is from Tarlac, was named Mister Universe Tourism 2018, besting 20 other candidates. The pageant was held in Pasig City last May.
“Bukod sa 15 kami na magkakapatid at pang apat na bunso ako, bale nadagdagan ako ng kapatid sa kanilang tatlo (Campos, Pasion, and Lansangan.) Masaya ako na nakilala ko sila. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa Misters of Filipinas,” Perez said.
Aside from Perez, Lansangan, Pasion, and Campos, the other title holders last year are Man of the World Philippines 2017 Clint Karklins Peralta and Man of the Year Philippines 2017 Rubi Kust.
Right attitude
Aside from the lessons they learned, the four gentlemen also shared tips to Mister of Filipinas 2018 candidates.
Perez advised the aspirants to be true to themselves.
“Magpakatotoo ka. Hindi mo kailangan magkunwari para magustuhan ka ng mga tao. Tiwala lang kay Lord,” he said.
Pasion said it is also about having the right attitude.
“Number one sa ‘kin is the attitude kasi importante ‘yan eh. Pangalawa, ‘yung magpakatotoo ka. Ipakita niyo lang na kung saan ka nanggaling,” Pasion explained.
Campos said that aside from the right attitude, a winning personality is important when one decides to join a pageant.
“Hindi naman lahat mukha at katawan ‘eh. They are looking for someone who is approachable, friendly,” he said.
Lansangan for his part also advised the candidates to trust themselves and of course the advocacies they are promoting.
Last month, the Misters of Filipinas’ Facebook page officially announced that the search is on for the next set of kings who will carry the country’s flag in the international pageant scene.