A businessman from Baguio City won the title of Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 during a contest held at the University of the Philippines last Sunday night.
John Raspado will wear the Philippine sash in the Mr. Gay World 2017 contest.
John Bench T. Ortiz was named first runner-up while Christian Khalil Gorospe Vera Cruz was second runner-up.
Raspado has been the crowd favorite of the gay contest after having named the grand winner of “I Am PoGay” in the noontime show “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN in 2014.
The television personality is an entrepreneur engaged in online marketing. He loves to cook, adventure sports, goes to the gym a lot and outdoors. He is in a relationship these days.
Raspado also won several special award during the pageant: Mr. Popularity, Best in National Costume, Best in Talent, and Photographer’s Choice.
In September, Raspado was also named Press Favorite during media presentation held in Quezon City.
Other winners of special awards were John Jeffrey Carlos, Mr. Gay World Social Media; Ortiz, Best in Swimwear; Cruz, Best in Formal Wear and Best in Casual Wear; and Rolando David Jr., Mr. Congeniality.
Thirty-six candidates competed in the 9th edition of the contest.
Last year, Christian Lacsamana, Philippine representative to the Mr. Gay World 2016 contest in Malta, won 2nd runner up.
Eric Butter and Dean Nelson founded the Mr. Gay World contest which embarks on a mission to create a global competition that would inspire and empower gay men to come together in a public performance that would show the world that being gay encompasses a broad spectrum. (Robert R. Requintina)