Dutch model is Manhunt International 2020

A model from The Netherlands won Manhunt International 2020 during a competition held at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City last Feb. 22.

Crowd favorite Paul Luzineau, 23, edged out 35 other contestants for the title. He is a student who loves going to the gym, running, and soccer.

Luzineau said that he is proud of The Netherlands because different cultures live in harmony in his country.

"The Netherlands is a really small country with more than 17 million people. The most thing I am proud of is that here in The Netherlands we all have different cultures and religions and still can live together with peace," he said, during an interview for misshollandnow.com, prior to the world finals of the competition.

Luzineau also said that male pageants are fast becoming  popular in his country because of social media.

"Our organization is keeping our pageant really up-to-date and tries to give it more attention in the dutch media. So new young men can see it for themselves, instead of believing stories about male pageantry," he said.

Luzineau said he was really excited to visit the Philippines. "I can’t wait to try the Filipino food, I have heard really good stories about it."

Asked how he would use his title, the pageant king said: "I want the youth, to stand up more for themselves. Listening to the advice of others but still have the courage to make their own choices. Nobody is perfect, and it’s not wrong to make mistakes. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new."

Other winners were: Nikos Antonopoulos, Greece, 1st runner-up; Matheus Giora, Brazil, 2nd runner-up; Yeray Hidalgo Hernández, Spain, 3rd runner-up; and Mayur Gangwani, India, 4th runner-up.

Candidates who also finished in the top 16 were: Paraguay, Vietnam, Sweden, Australia, Thailand, United Kingdom, Turkey, Poland, Sri Lanka, UAE, and the Philippines.

Winners of special awards were: Philippines, best in national costume; Paraguay, internet popularity; The Netherlands, face of the year; United Kingdom, best fashion model; Sweden, best commercial model; Vietnam, best runway model; Thailand, Mr. Photogenic; Nepal, Mr. Personality; Peru, Mr. Physique; and Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Friendship.

The 36 contestants were judged on their catwalk and runway skills, photogenic ability, personality, and physical attributes.

"Manhunt International is organized to promote new faces for the male modelling and fashion industry. The men that enter Manhunt International are also encouraged to become role models and good corporate citizens for younger people to look up to," said Rosko Dickinson, Manhunt International president.

This is the second time that the prestigious male contest is held in the Philippines, the first being in 1999.

In 2012, June Macasaet became the first Filipino to win Manhunt International contest. So far, no other Filipino candidate has won the international title. - Robert Requintina