FOUR former Mister International titleholders were in Manila recently for the launch of the new franchise of the national pageant, now under the wing of veteran pageant authorities headed by lawyer Manuel Deldio, who serves as president and national director, and his formidable team that includes Ameer Gamama, Mother J Samonte, Arvin Maceda, and Makoy Manlapaz.
Vietnam’s Trinh Van Bao (2018), the Philippines’s Mariano Flormata Jr. (2014), South Korea’s Lee Seung Hwan (2017), and Venezuela’s Jose Anmer Paredes (2013) were all smiles during the grand launch, what with the warm welcome they received from guests, pageant enthusiasts, and select members of the media.
Interestingly, Vietnam’s Trinh Bao was crowned in Manila during the 13th edition of this prestigious international pageant. The 24-year-old charmer from Ho Chi Minh City gave Vietnam its second crown, first won by Ngô Tien Doan in 2008.
An established model and a fitness coach in his country, Trinh has extensive training in music, arts and drama, and he looks forward to pursue a career in acting after his extended reign is over.
With the little English that he knows, he told us: “I like to be a movie star, maybe Asia, maybe international also.” He is also a competitive athlete, citing soccer and swimming as his favorites. “I love beach, beach sports.”
South Korea’s Lee Seung Hwan, who won the title in 2017, was very generous in helping Mister Vietnam International in communicating with the members of the media present during the launch.
Lee, now 28, bested 35 other contestants from his batch who competed in Myanmar five years ago. He loves winter sports and is still bent on becoming a Sports Science professor one day in his native Korea. Lee added that he loves the Philippines and hopes to travel to more places.
“Your country is beautiful—many islands, good food, beautiful people. No snow but still very okay; people are always smiling, people speak very good English, and really friendly. I am just happy to be here, and hopefully I’ll be back soon.”
Mariano Flormata Jr. remains the only one from the Philippines to have been crowned Mister International. A member of the local police force, Flormata won in 2014 when the pageant was held in Korea. He explored show business for a short time using the screen name “Neil Perez” but put his focus back in police work under the Philippine National Police.
“I find satisfaction in being a police sergeant. It gives me both purpose and fulfilment. From time to time, I still accept invitations to grace events as a model, a guest or as a pageant judge. I am thankful that the organizers invited me to be part of the launch of this new organization that will choose our country’s representative to the next Mister International pageant. I hope that we can produce more international winners in the future,” Flormata shared.
Perhaps the most gorgeous among the former international pageant kings present during the launch, Venezuela’s Jose Anmer Paredes, now 32, has maintained his looks, physique and natural charm nine years after winning the title when the pageant was held in Indonesia.
“It is important that we focus on health and fitness, no matter how old we are,” he said, adding, “Mental health is also something we should always care about, especially with what is happening to the world right now, with stress levels so high. We have to eat right, get enough rest and sleep, exercise, and just train our minds to look at the positive, the bright and the beautiful.”
We learned that Paredes has been based in Manila for some time now, and is already a successful real estate broker and agent. “I love the Philippines. It is my second home. It has so many similarities with Venezuela—the culture, the food, the people, and how we appreciate beauty and fun. My life has been beautiful in the Philippines.”
The new national organization has announced that applications are now open for the Mister International Philippines pageant. Mentally and physically fit Filipinos from 18 to 28 years old, at least 5’9” and who are advocates of sports, wellness and community services may apply through its web site.
Aside from sports and wellness, Deldio reiterated that the pageant will look for the “distinctively handsome” standard that will combine personality, fitness and winnability. “We are both hopeful and positive that we will have a very good Mister International Philippines this year that can best represent our country in the international pageant,” Deldio affirmed.