Cebu City nabs back-to-back win at Ginoong Pilipinas

CEBU, Philippines — The Ginoong Pilipinas crown remains with Cebu City as its bet Larz Kent Dawson was hailed successor of Erik Lennart Visser – who represented the Queen City of the South in the pageant’s 2019 edition – during the May 20 finals at IL Corso Lifemalls’ Central Piazza Amphitheater.

Dawson, a 21-year-old from Barangay Tisa, is a third year Entrepreneurship student at the University of San Carlos. He will represent the Philippines at Mister Universe Tourism next year in Bali, Indonesia where he has the difficult task of replicating another back-to-back for the Philippines after Visser’s triumph there last March.

A model who is one-fourth Irish, Dawson was also awarded Ginoong JCI-Cebu and Best Tourism Video. Explaining his advocacy on sustainable entrepreneurship during the coronation night’s first Q&A round, he said, “As an Entrepreneurship student, I have the privilege to study the ins and outs of business. I know this is not a privilege available to many. So with this platform, I want to share what I’ve learned.”

“I want to focus on sustainable entrepreneurship in two main ways: sustainable for the environment, and sustainable for the future generation. And I believe this is what will make Cebu City Singapore-like.”

Asked during the final Q&A for the Top 6 finalists why he deserved to win Ginoong Pilipinas 2023, Dawson said, “When I was invited to join Ginoong Pilipinas and represent Cebu City, I was very hesitant. But seeing the reign of the previous winner, Mr. Erik Lennart Visser, he really gave me the inspiration of what it is to be a pageant king.”

He added, “A lot of stereotypes are present in pageants, especially for men. But that really motivated me to do better. Pageantry is so much more than just looks and the body, but more on substance and advocacies, and [helping] the world reach a better place.”

Dawson said he was “honestly not expecting to win, but I’m very, very grateful, and I hope I made Cebu City proud. That was my ultimate goal – to make Cebu City proud.”

The pageant’s activities and finals night was held around the same time he was having his final exams in school, which made preparations for Ginoong Pilipinas “kind of hard”, he said.

“My classmates are here, my thesis partner. Thank you so much to my USC teachers for understanding and supporting me. This is just the beginning towards Miss Universe Tourism…please continue to support me.”

Dawson said he learned a lot just by observing Visser. “The way he walks, the way he talks – such substance in a man. I’m really grateful to have such a mentor so close to me,” he shared.

Declared first runner-up was Jerricho Ponce, 24, (Cavite), while second runner-up was Wesley Frias, 23 (Mandaue City).

Ponce was also named Ginoong Dakak, Best in Formal Wear and Ginoong Photogenic. Frias, meanwhile, was chosen Best in Swimwear.

Other awardees were Ginoong JCI-Cebu Margarito Roldan (Bantayan Island), Mr. Multimedia and Ginoong Melyor Jonathan Palabrica (Iloilo), Mr. Congeniality and Best in Festival Costume Rickmhar Pooten Bayonao (Cordillera), The HappyNest Choice Award Fritz Arvi Dormentes (Bacolod), and The Nyor! Choice Award: Reymar Pasquito (Cagayan de Oro).

As for Visser, now that he has relinquished his title after four years, he told The FREEMAN that he “will concentrate on my responsibilities as the reigning Mister Universe Tourism.”

“Also just trying to keep with projects not only in Cebu but also in Manila, and making the most of all the opportunities that Mister Universe Tourism has given me. On top of that, I also plan to travel to different parts of the world to experience their culture and tourism, and to be able to promote it as well.” — (FREEMAN)