Who will win Mister Universe Tourism Philippines 2018?
Nineteen gorgeous young men will compete for the title of Mister Universe Tourism Philippines 2018 which will be held at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City on October 16.
At the launch of the pageant in Makati City recently, the 19 official candidates presented to the press were: Kelvin Aguilan, Joshua Lazado Buena, Justin Joseph Aninias, Miggy Uchimura, Christian Villarin, Justine San Pedro, Christian Lopez, Russell Gabriel San Pedro, Jeoff Paolo Monzon, John Lester Rodil, Ahmad Sulaiman Arraro Ali, Rinz Alton Villaruel, Keanu Fernando, Jhon Patrick Driz, Mark Avila, Yuichi Sekiguchi, Luis Cabig Bermudez, Patrick Santillan Acebo and Ryan Apostol.
Top 3 Best in Swimwear: From left: Kelvin Aguilan Vicente of Baguio City; Patrick Acebo, Tanza, Cavite; and Christian Villarin, Iloilo. (Edmund Ong Chua II)
Dr. Jumel Bornilla, President of Mister Universe Tourism Philippines contest, says that the annual search is dedicated in discovering the new tourism ambassador of the universe.
Bornilla also says that the contest is the first ever to conduct psychological assessment among candidates "to prepare them for the pageant world."
Manuel Genabe, CEO, Mr. Universe Tourism Organization, says that the winner of the pageant will represent the Philippines at the Mister Universe Tourism 2019 contest which will be held in Manila next year.
Ryan Apostol (left), Darling of the Press
Asked what inspired them to form Mister Universe Tourism Philippines contest, Genabe says: "We've been spectators (of pageants) for 11 years now. Every time we watch beauty pageants, we want to do something similar but with a different platform so I guess that's the reason why we formed Mister Universe Tourism."
Genabe reveals that the first-runner up will compete for the Gentleman of the World in Indonesia. The second runner-up, he says, will represent the Philippine in an international pageant which will be announced during the finals.
He says that the team behind the Mister Universe Tourism Philippines pageant is composed of people who are passionate and dedicated to the cause of the contest.
From left: Beauty queen Angelee delos Reyes, Manuel Genabe, CEO, Mr. Universe Tourism Organization; and Dr. Jumel Bornilla, President, Mister Universe Tourism Organization.
"The hardest part, to be honest, as a businessman, is not having funds coming in. I think in any business. It's just so happen that we have little bit more on the side so that we can have this," Genabe says.
He admits that some critics have earlier belittled their intention of forming a male pageant like Mister Universe Tourism Philippines contest.
"There is also the doubt of the people. The doubt of the people na 'Sino ba kayo? Kabago-bago pa lang? Ano ba ang alam n'yo?' And I answer that question 'that in everything the you do, you should always have common sense. All of us have this passion. Our members don't do this because of ulterior motives. They are our friends and they believe in want we want to do," says Genabe. - ROBERT REQUINTINA
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