Sixteen official candidates of Mr. World Philippines 2018 pageant were presented to the press at the Vestibule Bar, Resorts World Manila, on Tuesday, presided by Miss World Philippines general manager Bessie Besana and national director Arnold Vegafria.
Mr. World Philippines 2018 serves as a prelude to the ‘search for the world’s most desirable man,’ the Mr. World pageant, which is expecting a record more than a hundred candidates for its 10th edition to be held for the first time in Manila on Jan. 27 next year.
The Mr. World Philippines 2018 pageant will also crown two major titlists, Mr. Supranational 2018 and Mr. Eco International 2018. Two other titles will be given out at the finals after franchising agreements are completed.
“This is the right time to harness the collective strength of a united brotherhood of men, a time to take pride in our cultural diversity, to build bridges of cooperation and mutual understanding regardless of race, creed or political persuasion,” Vegafria said at the press event.
“This year, as we attempt to mount another pageant spectacle, we shall never lose sight of our main objective, the spirit of charity and compassion, which is the legacy that the Mr. World pageant seeks to perpetuate, as we call on a new breed of young men to look beyond their vanity and pride and channel their energies to more meaningful and purposeful action,” Vegafria added.
The 16 aspirants for the title of Mr World Philippines 2018 are: Joy Jerome Evangelista, Jody Baines Saliba, Karl Louie Aragon, Abdullah Sharif Cheng, Denver Hernandez, Wilfred Placencia Jr., Reymart Regis, Marco Poli, Robin Hanrath, Mark Jero Bagaporo, Miguel De Castro, EmirDon Abbo, Ricardo De Jesus, Joshua Reginald Banatin, Mark Comiso, Ameen Sardouk
The Mr. World is the only male world title that has not been won by the Philippines. In its last two editions, the country was represented by Fil-Am John Spainhour and Fil-Iranian Sam Ajdani, in 2016 and 2014, respectively. The finals night will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila tonight.