By Robert R. Requintina
MORE than 100 candidates from around the world will converge in the Philippines when it hosts for the first time the Mr. World pageant on Jan. 27, 2019.
Initially, Julia Morley, founder of Miss World Organization (MWO), announced on Facebook that the prestigious male competition will be staged in Manila on Sept. 16. But after discussions with the national directors of the contest, it has been moved to January 2019. It will be staged at Resorts World Manila.
“And because of moving it to Jan. 27, we could announce that a world record of more than 100 countries will be coming to Manila. This is the biggest Mr. World in history,” said Steve Douglas Morley, during a recent press conference.
More details will be announced soon as the male pageant progresses, said Steve.
“It’s our responsibility not only to put on the best Mr World but also give the best presentation of your country ever for any pageant to the rest of the world,” he added.
Arnold Vegafria, national director of Miss World Philippines and Mister World Philippines contests, welcomed the challenge of staging the male pageant here.
“This is the right time to harness the collective strength of a united brotherhood of men; a time to take pride in our cultural diversity; to build bridges of cooperation and mutual understanding regardless of race, creed or political persuasion,” said Vegafria.
He added: “This year, as we attempt to mount another pageant spectacle of epic proportion, we shall never lose sight of our main objective: the spirit of charity and compassion. This is the legacy that Mr. World pageant seeks to perpetuate, as we call on a new breed of young men to look beyond their vanity and pride, and channel all their energies to more meaningful and purposeful action.”
Asked why the MWO chose the Philippines to host the competition, Steve said: “On my many visits to the Philippines, I have always felt that Filipinos would really love to see one of the most interesting international shows in the world. It’s allowing our young men to not just be super fashion conscious, but to be fity, fearless, swim an ocean, climb a mountain, and most of all be compassionate and caring. These qualities, I think, Filipinos would love to witness.”
“Of course, we also want to show the world your country’s beautiful scenic spots and for them to experience first-hand the warmth and hospitality of the Filipinos people, which I have witnessed and felt on several occasions,” Steve added.
Staged every two years, contestants in the Mister World contest participate in various fast-track events such as talent, fashion, extreme sports, and modelling.
So far, no Filipino has won the title. But the reigning Mister World is the first Asian to win the contest.
The highest placement won by a Filipino in the pageant was first runner-up won by Filipino-British athlete Andrew Wolff in 2012. Wolff, 32, currently plays for the Alabang Eagles Rugby Club and the Philippine Volcanoes.
Other Filipinos who competed in the Mister World pageant were Christopher Celis (1996), Rico Lee Miguel (1998), Roderick Dilla Salvador (2000), Marco Antonio Tamayo (2003), Emmanuel Mago (2007), Alvin de Joya (2010), John Spainhour (2014) and Sam Adjani (2016).
