Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Proclaimed!
Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Proclaimed!
Report: Raymund Golez | Managing Editor
Images Credits: Mr. Gay World Philippines Facebook Page, Rappler.com
Bolder. Wiser. Sexier. That’s probably how to best describe the men of Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 during the extravagant finals night held on October 2 at the University of the Philippines Theater in Quezon City, Philippines, in a superb world-class production design, standing ovation and full-packaged crowd. And among the thirty six (36) official candidates, three stoop up from the rest as this year’s winners. Baguio City’s John Fernandez Raspado will be representing the Philippines in next year’s Mr. Gay World competition.
Raspado also won other special awards, including Best in National Costume, and Mr. Gay World Philippines Popularity.
Pangasinan’s John Bench Ortiz was named First Runner-Up and Best in Swimwear and Best in Casual Wear, while Zamboanga del Sur’s Khalil Vera Cruz was named Second Runner-Up and Best in Formal Wear.
Pangasinan’s Bench Ortiz & Zamaboanga Del Sur’s Khalil Veracruz landed first and second runner up, respectively. Image credits: MGWPh Facebook
Back in May 2014, Raspado won the title of the first-ever “I Am PoGay“, a beauty and talent search that catered to handsome gay men as part of a daily segment in ABS-CBN’s noontime show, “It’s Showtime!”.
Christian Reyes Lacsamana, who won second runner-up in Mr. Gay World 2016 last April in Malta “crowned” Raspado as his successor in this national title, where the former happens to be the latter’s first runner-up in “I am Pogay“. What an interesting coincidence to be considered.
The following are the candidates who made it to the Top 15, the Top 10, and the Top 5:
TOP 15
– John Jeffrey Carlos
– John Raspado
– Ronald Lamson
– Jesse Regin Nacilla
– Jessie Quitevis
– Frankie Chiu
– Ronaldo Ramos
– John Bench Ortiz
– Sycris Brown
– Jerome Lacsa
– Ian Roy Paderanga
– Godofredo Dela Cruz Jr.
– Leo Andrew Ponce
– Khalil Vera Cruz
– Raffy Gavina
TOP 10
– Jesse Regin Nacilla
– Khalil Vera Cruz
– Godofredo Dela Cruz Jr.
– Raffy Gavina
– John Bench Ortiz
– Leo Andrew Ponce
– Sycris Brown
– John Raspado
– Ronaldo Ramos
– John Jeffrey Carlos
TOP 5
– Leo Andrew Ponce
– John Bench Ortiz
– John Jeffrey Carlos
– John Raspado
– Khalil Vera Cruz
Hosted by Mr. Paolo Bediones and Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry with Kristine Caballero-Aplal. Celebrity judges includes Miss World 1993 Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez, Bb. Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2015 Rogelie Catacutan, actress Lorna Tolentino, Mister International 2016 Neil Perez, Man of the Year 2016 Karan Singhdole, Manhunt Philippines 2015 Don Mc Gyver Cochico, and film director Maryo J. Delos Reyes, among others.
Mr. Gay World is a global competition that aims to inspire and empower gay men by giving hopefuls a venue to “demonstrate that both inward beauty and physical appearance are equally important as is leadership and confidence.” The Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization is headed by its National Director, Wilbert Ting Tolentino, who was also a former Mr. Gay World Philippines titleholder.
