Pageant organizer defends psycho assessment for bets

For the first time in pageant history, a national pageant will conduct psychological preparedness assessment among its candidates so that they will be psychologically ready to commit themselves into an organization.

This was revealed by Dr. Jumel Bornilla, President of the Mr. Universe Tourism Organization, who says that the assessments may also include interviewing other people who are close to the client, such as teachers, co-workers or family members. Such interviews, however, would only be performed with written consent from the client, he adds.

"Together, testing and assessment for the candidates of the Mister Universe Tourism pageant allows a psychologist to see the full picture of a person's strengths and limitations," Bornilla says, during an exclusive interview.

Bornilla also says that the psychological preparedness test will be conducted by a group of licensed clinical psychologists which the MUT have commissioned from their own medical facility. The session will be finally assessed by a clinical psychiatrist who will sign out the evaluation.

The psychological preparedness assessment is very necessary, he adds.

"Being a title holder will empower that person to influence the world, in our case the universe. Empowerment will give that person a leeway to influence people, more importantly the youth. Hence, that person should be psychologically well without a tinge of derangement," says Bornilla.

He adds: "A person might look WELL but psychotic inside, which is very dangerous."

The official candidates of the Mister Universe Tourism 2018 contest will be presented to the media on Oct. 8. The winner will be crowned in Makati City on Oct. 16. - ROBERT REQUINTINA