Kevin Ponce Garcia wins first runnerup honors in the Mr. Fahrenheit 2019 gay men pageant. | Photo from Mr. Gay World Philippines’ Facebook page
Cebuano marathoner Kevin Ponce Garcia finished first runner-up during the coronation night of Mr. Fahrenheit 2019 at F Club in Quezon City on March 30, Saturday.
“Well, I am so happy to be going home and being the first to bring home a runner up finish in Mr. Gay World Philippines for Cebu,” Garcia told CDN Digital.
Garcia also received the Mr. Social Media award.
Read more: Cebu pride in Kevin Garcia’s attire for Mr. Fahrenheit 2019
Mr. Fahrenheit is a pageant exclusive for gay men and bisexuals. The pageant started in 2003 in the Philippines.
Garcia identifies himself as gay man.
The winner of Mr. Fahrenheit 2019 will be automatically named as Mr. Gay World Philippines 2019, who will represent the country in the Mr. Gay World 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa on May 5.
This year’s grand winner is Clive Christian from Cavite. Completing the court is Macky David Belen of Rizal Province who placed second runner-up.
Kevin Ponce Garcia wears a Sinulog-inspired costume during the pageant’s National Costume competition. |Photo from Mr. Gay World Philippines’ Facebook page
First pageant, experience
Mr. Fahrenheit 2019 is Garcia’s first national pageant.
“When I was invited to join, my biggest inhibition really was the pageant standards that I do not see myself fit to be casted as an official candidate. The initial lineup of candidates was good,” the Cebuano marathoner said.
Garcia admitted that there were a couple of times when he battled self-doubt while in the competition. He also compared himself to others.
“I have lost so much weight in the process as the schedules at work and commitments for the pageant was tight. The entire journey was not easy as I have to fly in and fly out and juggle appointments in Cebu and Manila,” he added.
Garcia, 28, is a native of Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City. He works as an assistant contact center manager in a business process outsourcing (BPO) company in Cebu City.
During the coronation night, Garcia wore Cris Cadungog’s barong which represents the beaches of Cebu.
He also wore a Sinulog-inspired costume designed by Malayka Yamas during the national costume competition./dbs