Philippines back as Mr. International pageant host

All is set for the staging of the 13th Mister International pageant in the Philippines from February 18-24.

The prestigious male competition was supposed to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. But due to time constraints, it will be held in the Philippines for the second time.

Prime Event Productions Philippines Foundation (PEPPS) president Carlo Morris Galang said that more than 40 candidates will arrive in Manila starting February 14. They will travel around Metro Manila and northern Philippines to explore the most exciting places in the country.

“PEPPS Foundation is honored in bringing back Mister International to the country. The live broadcast of the competition draws millions of viewers around the world and we are very excited to showcase the best of the Philippine islands during the twoweek pageant,” Galang told a press conference at Hotel Benilde Maison De Las Salle in Manila.

Alan Sim, president of the Mister International Organization, said the Mister International event in February 2019 will be for the 2018 edition. “Mister International 2019 will be held later this year.”

Founded in 2006, the Mister International pageant was first held in Manila in 2015. The winner of the competition was Pedro Mendes of Switzerland. In 2014, Neil Perez captured its first Mister International title for the Philippines.

The country’s representative to the pageant is Mister International Philippines Mark Kevin Baloaloa, of Catanauan, Quezon. The 26-year-old is a freelance liaison officer.

“I am very confident and proud to carry the Philippine flag in this competition. With all your support, blessings from God, and of course with the best pageant fans in the world, I can’t ask for more,” said Baloaloa.

He added: “I am also very excited to show the beauty of our country, our culture, and our hospitality to all our candidates.”

Galang said Baloaloa will wear an all-Filipino wardrobe with cultural significance. His national costume will be inspired by the Philippines’ mooneating dragon dubbed “The Legend of Bakunawa.” It will be created by award-winning designer Michael Barassi. Other designers who will provide outfits for Baloaloa are Bea Bianca and Olan Roque.

Richard Montoya, Prime Event Productions Philippines, Inc. Foundation director for legal, vowed that there will be no favoritism, especially for Baloaloa, during the competition.

“Our Philippine representative will compete fair and square. There will be no favoritism among the candidates,” Montoya said.

Montoya believes the right attitude of a candidate will play a big part in selecting the next Mister International.

“You may have the most handsome face or the most perfect abs. But if you don’t have the right attitude, I think you will not win. That’s based on what I’ve seen in many competitions here and abroad,” Montoya said.

Aski Pascual, also of PEPPS, announced that Ilocos Norte will be the host province for the preliminary competition on Feb. 18. Reigning Mister International Seung Hwan Lee of Korea will also attend the official activities in the north.