Cebuano is Mr. International 2013 4th runner-up

CEBU, Philippines - Another Venezuelan dashed a Filipino’s dream of bringing home an international pageant crown Thursday night. On the bright side, Pinoys yet again showed how passionately they take their pageants as online voters propelled the Philippine bet to Mr. International 2013 into the semi-finals, much like what happened with Ariella Arida at the recent Miss Universe.

Cebuano model and basketball player Gil Wagas took the fourth runner-up spot during the Nov. 21 pageant finals held at the Skeeno Hall in Gandaria City, Jakarta, Indonesia. He competed with 36 other male hunks from all over the world.

The former player of UE (University of the East) Red Warriors, who hails from Lapu-Lapu City, earned the right to represent the country after being crowned Mr. Philippines-International last June in San Juan City, beating 23 other aspirants.

José Anmer Paredes of Venezuela was declared Mr. International 2013, succeeding Lebanon’s Ali Hammoud. Paredes was also given the Best Body award.

First runner-up is Albern Sultan of the host country Indonesia, second runner-up is Jhonatan Marko of Brazil, third runner-up is Hans Briseño of Mexico and the fifth runner-up is Antonín Beránek of Czech Republic.

Mr. International is an annual male beauty pageant founded in 2006, which is owned and organized by the Mister Singapore Organization which also organizes the annual Mister Singapore pageant. Since the first edition, 73 countries have sent their representative to this contest, with an annual average of 31 contestants.

The pageant was founded as a “global community empowering role models of handsomeness, health and leadership for young men of today.”

Sixteen contestants were called as semi-finalists, with the Philippines securing the final slot for being the winner in the online fan voting. They were then judged in three categories: swimwear, evening wear and interview segment.

Prior to the finals, considered as big favorites for the title included the contestants from Czech Republic, Indonesia, Slovak Republic, Philippines and Mexico.

The following special awards were also handed out: Mr. Congeniality for USA’s Jeremy Wyatt Akin, Mr. Photogenic for Indonesia’s Albern Sultan and Best National Costume for Panama’s Sergio Isaac Lópes.

In the eight-year history of the pageant, this is the first time that a Filipino contestant was able to penetrate the Top 5, or for this year’s case, the Top 6. (FREEMAN)