The country’s hosting of the 10th Mr. World pageant finally got off the ground with the press presentation of 80 of the world’s most wanted bachelors now in town for the three-week competition.
Hosted in Manila for the first time through the efforts of ALV Productions, headed by Arnold Vegafria, director of Miss World Philippines, Mr. World 2019 aims to showcase the country’s top tourist attractions and warm hospitality of the Filipinos to the world.
Mr. World, established in London in 1996, is the world’s largest and most recognized international male pageant owned and licensed by the Miss World Organization, headed by its chairman and CEO Julia Morley.
Some of the early favorites are Mr. Mexico Brian Faugier, Mr. Brazil Carlos Franco, Mr. Chile Felipe Rojas, Mr. Ireland Wayne Walsh, Mr. Lebanon Jean Paul Bitar, Mr. MauritiusAlexandre Curpanen, Mr. Montenegro Nemanja Kaludjerovic, Mr. Nigeria Nelson Enwerem, Mr. South Africa Fezile Mkhize, Mr. Spain Daniel Torres, Mr. Thailand Anakin Nontiprasit,Mr. Austria Albert Nodale, and Mr. Philippines Jody Baines “JB” Saliba. Other countries who stood out during the press presentation were Czech Republic, Argentina, Greece, Canada, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, India, and Samoa.
“I’m super excited to be in my second home country. I’ve been here many times. My mom is from Laguna, which is not very far from the Philippines,” Fil-Austrian Nodale said in jest as he introduced himself.
“I’m a professional speaker, university lecturer, and business coach. I promote cultural diversity. It’s important that you don’t just promote your own culture, but also to understand all cultures in the world,” Nodale added.
Saliba expressed excitement to compete in his home turf and help promote the country. The 26-year-old, 5-foot-10 Saliba hails from Olongapo City and holds a degree in Sports Science from the University of the Philippines. He is a former member of the UP-Maroons baseball team and appeared in the reality series Amazing Race Philippines Season 2, an indie film, and TV drama anthology. The model-athlete who loves dogs, golf, wake-boarding, swimming, and acting, will attempt to become the first Filipino to win as Mr. World.
The delegates of Mr. World 2019 will visit several top destinations around the country for the preliminaries which consist of extreme challenges that include the first-ever Mr. World Beach Party competition for the Beach Champion title. Other challenges are the Army Assault Course, Extreme Fitness, Ultimate Sport, Multimedia, Talent and Style & Fashion.
Reigning Mr. World 2016 Rohit Khandelwal of India will pass on his crown at the finals coronation night set on Aug. 23 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City.
