Laguna native Karan Singhdole bagged the Man of the Year 2016 title during finals at the Grand Central Hotel Pekanbaru in Sumatra, Indonesia. The 23-year-old, 6-foot-2 model and Hotel and Restaurant student at STI College, born and raised in Sta. Rosa, Laguna of immigrant Indian parents, dedicated his winning to the land of his birth, to the Filipinos and his parents, especially to his father who is stricken with brain cancer.
Mr. Lebanon Tarek Moaykel and Mr. Netherlands Tim Bertrams were named 1st and 2nd runners up, respectively. Trịnh Xuân Nhản of Vietnam was 3rd runner up while local bet Meirizal Rifa’i of Indonesia finished 4th runner up.
Special Awardees were Jan Vurn of the Czech Republic (Mindful Man of the Year), Sandeep Pokhrel of Nepal (Masterly Man of the Year), Htoo Ant Lwin of Myanmar (Modern Man of the Year), Abhishek Shah of India (Manly Man of the Year) and Antonio PM of Spain (Masculine Man of the Year). Man of the Year Malaysia won the best in national costume award.
Singhdole, who joined Eat Bulaga’s “You’re My Foreignoy” in 2014 and Bodyshots Philippines 2014, started modeling in 2012 with Bench, Cosmo, Globe, LG and SM. He speaks five languages, Hindi, English, Filipino, Punjabi and Bengali. Calling himself an Indian but “Pinoy” at heart, Karan followed Filipino representatives with Indian blood like Venus Raj and Farul Shah.
Awarded the title of Man of the Year Philippines 2015 by Prime Events Productions Philippines (PEPPS) Foundation, founder of Misters of Filipinas pageant, headed by CEO Carlo Morris Galang, Singhdole is the second of PEPPS winners to win abroad following Mister International 2014 winner Neil Perez. “I am very happy for his victory he waited for this for a long time, He worked hard for this together with the organization PEPPs. We are offering his victory to our country the Philippines!” Galang said.
Singhdole, who plays basketball and cricket, was provided his wardrobe for the Man of the Year 2016 competition by designers Francis Libiran for formal wear, Edwin Uy for his national costume and Olan Roque for the swimwear. “I dedicate this victory to my father who has cancer. I hope that I made my family proud,” said Singhdole who had to stop pursuing his college degree to help attend to his father and to concentrate in modeling.
Man of the Year 2016 is a new addition to international pageants for male which aims to find the perfect man who represents the Five (5) Ms, Masterly, Mindful, Manly, Masculine and Modern, best suited in modeling, entertainment and participation in notable global causes.