TWO gentlemen from Cebu are officially part of Misters of Filipinas 2018.
John Paul “JP” Valdehueza Ocat and Elcid Camacho are representing Talisay City and Cebu City, respectively.
Ocat related to Cebu Daily News his experience during the pageant’s grand call back at the House Manila in Pasay City last weekend.
“I was one of the last candidates called and be part of the official candidates for 2018. I was very nervous because at the back of my mind, what if I don’t make it? Unsa nalang ang iingon sa uban nga nag support and nag expect na? I was still optimistic and hoping that I would be able to make it. I am happy,” said Ocat, who works as a project specialist for a creative company based in California, USA.
Ocat was encouraged by Yhuong Botor of Vanguards to join Misters of Filipinas. Vanguards is a male pageant camp where Ocat belongs.
Ocat’s last pageant stint was Mr. Island Mall 2015 where he finished third runner-up.
He said he considered joining the country’s biggest male pageant as a platform to promote his advocacies, which include youth empowerment, education, and mental health awareness.
He revealed that he has been battling depression for the last two years.
“I was suicidal and didn’t have direction in life. I faced that alone and never really opened up to anyone because the fear of the depressed is rejection and unacceptance,” he said.
Until one day he realized what would happen to his family if he is gone.
He accepted the fact that he was depressed and started to educate his family and friends about it.
“I also want to incorporate this through youth empowerment by letting kids, the young minds, understand what it truly means for I am dreaming for a more compassionate generation. A generation not apathetic to what the society’s problems really are. In the hope that we would be able to create a generation that is more accepting and loving, more educated. It is my duty to galvanize as much men and women, the youth to be part of this. Not to just talk about it but make sure it’s tangible and we are acting on it,” he said.
In line with his advocacy, he will soon launch a campaign as he is closely working with doctors, teachers, and fellow advocates.
Camacho, for his part, was true to his words that he will make a comeback this year for Misters of Filipinas.
“I am happy but I am not that surprised dahil talagang pinaghandaan ko naman itong comeback ko,” he told CDN.
In 2014, he joined the same pageant but he did not win. Pageant cop Neil Perez bagged the title.
“There is pressure as a returnee not just to myself but to the people who supported me,” he added.
To prepare for the pageant, he is doing more workout and improving on his communication skills.
The 26-year-old model was crowned as the first Hari sa Sugbo in February this year.
He was also part of the Top 5 finalists in Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018 last April in Manila.
Last year’s winners include Cebuano nurse Yves Campos who represented the country for Mister Supranational 2017 in Poland.
Other 2017 titleholders are Raven-Renz Lansangan (Mister International Philippines), Clint Richard Peralta (Man of the World Philippines), Carlo Pasion (Mister Ocean Philippines),
Rubi Kust (Man of the Year Philippines), and Iion Perez (Mister Universe Tourism Philippines).
