The 10 hopefuls during the presentation of the Gentlemen of the Philippines Cebu leg, with blogger Norman Tinio (center, in light shirt) and Cebuano designer Dexter Alazas at Montebello Hotel. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
WHEN we think of a beauty pageant, nothing is more exciting than watching women walking gracefully in high heels, wearing swimsuits or evening gowns. But today, pageants don’t look only at beauty—they also focus on the candidate’s intelligence, personality and talent.
Many times we have shown that the Filipina is world-class and that’s why we’ve become a powerhouse in beauty pageants.
Many times we have shown that the Filipina is world-class and that’s why we’ve become a powerhouse in beauty pageants.
But what happens when the contestants are men? What does a pageant tell us about male beauty? Can pageants be a man’s domain, too?
But what happens when the contestants are men? What does a pageant tell us about male beauty? Can pageants be a man’s domain, too?
In this respect, only a few Filipinos have made their mark internationally, like Neil Perez (Mister International 2014), June Macasaet (Manhunt International 2012 and Fashion Male Model of the Year in the 2014 Asan Top Model competition in China), Andrew Wolff (Mister World 2012 first runner-up) and Cebuano model Gil Wagas (Mister International 2013 fourth runner-up).
In this respect, only a few Filipinos have made their mark internationally, like Neil Perez (Mister International 2014), June Macasaet (Manhunt International 2012 and Fashion Male Model of the Year in the 2014 Asan Top Model competition in China), Andrew Wolff (Mister World 2012 first runner-up) and Cebuano model Gil Wagas (Mister International 2013 fourth runner-up).
And so we still ask: What do male pageants offer besides well-sculpted bodies and handsome faces?
And so we still ask: What do male pageants offer besides well-sculpted bodies and handsome faces?
Pageant blogger Norman Tinio, publicist of a new contest called Gentlemen of the Philippines, said their goal is to build a reputaion akin to that of the Binibining Pilipinas.
Pageant blogger Norman Tinio, publicist of a new contest called Gentlemen of the Philippines, said their goal is to build a reputaion akin to that of the Binibining Pilipinas.
“When we talk about male pageants what easily comes to mind are scantily-clad men and we want to change that,” he said. “More on the brains and less on the skin. The spotlight would be on the contestants’ advocacies more than what they can show physically.”
“When we talk about male pageants what easily comes to mind are scantily-clad men and we want to change that,” he said. “More on the brains and less on the skin. The spotlight would be on the contestants’ advocacies more than what they can show physically.”
Gentlemen of the Philippines conducted its Cebu leg of the pageant regional screening last June 3 at Montebello Hotel with 10 candidates aspiring to represent Cebu in the national finals to be held in Manila on July 30.
Tinio, Cebuano fashion designer Dexter Alazas and male pageant title holders Judah Jyreh Cohen of Cebu and Rick Kristoffer Palencia of Tacloban graced the press conference.
“We are looking for an ordinary candidate who has a good back story, who has something extra special about him. More than how the gentlemen look in their swimming trunks, we’d be interested in what they will do to advance their cause,” said Tinio.
Three hopefuls will advance to the national competition–Christian Lumasag,Paul Benjamin Abal and Scotty Johnson–and challenge 30 other finalists.
Lumasag, a resident of Mandaue City and former cadet at the Philippine Military Academy, supports environmental advocacy programs. For instance, he cites the importance of proper waste disposal.
A basketball player, Lumasag, from Cebu City, pushes for education as a key to progress.
For his part, Johnson, who studied the arts at Floria State University, champions the rights of the LGBT community.
“I was going over our initial listing and I can proudly say that our candidates do have special qualities. Like some are multilingual, there’s a summa cum laude, including a former Century Tuna Superbods candidate whose transformation from being obese is a very good story,” said Tinio.
Alazas, Gentlemen of the Philippines’ creative director, said that the pageantry will promote diversity and advance the awareness on climate change, environmental problems and risk reduction.
The winners of the Gentlemen of the Philippines will represent the country in five international competitions: Mr. Worldwide in Florida in December; Mr. Model International in New Delhi, India and Mr. Universal Ambassador in Bali, Indonesia both in September; Mr. Tourism World in Bali, Indonesia; and Mr. Tourism International 2017 in Panama.
