Mister Friendship International Philippines ‘24 finals in Cebu tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines — If the candidates of Mister Friendship International Philippines 2024 were given the chance to have dinner with a public figure, dead or alive, Carcar City’s Mark Anthony Guerra and Talisay City’s Nelson John Senoc would choose President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as their dinner mate.

“As a public servant, I want to ask the president about his plans for the Philippines and how to become a good leader,” the 33-year-old said during the pageant’s press conference at WaterWorld Cebu in Mandaue City. “It’s not to say that I am pro-BBM or affiliated with a political color. I just have respect for whoever is the president.”

For Isaias Quinikito Jr., a model from Negros Island, it would be Vice President Sara Duterte. “I want to ask her how to be strong amidst intense criticism as a public leader,” he explained.

As the country’s top two leaders are currently at odds, the candidates were further asked how they would reconcile both or help them find common ground.

“I would encourage them to have a heart-to-heart conversation. It’s a way for them to understand each other’s priorities because both have the responsibility to lead the Philippines,” Senoc, a 24-year-old Psychology graduate, suggested.

“I would remind them of their purpose and why they ran in the first place. I would bring back the promises they made and have a casual talk,” Guerra added. “A friendly conversation may help rekindle good memories, so let’s start from there, and everything will follow.”

Content creator Wilson Gloria Jr. from Cebu City and real estate agent Jan Echavarria from Mandaue City, on the other hand, would choose their respective music idols.

“Michael Jackson is the King of Pop. I want to learn from him about how he makes his music and his discipline as a performer,” Gloria Jr., 23, said.

“Bruno Mars has been my idol since day one. All of his songs have been an inspiration, and his artistry is top tier,” Echavarria, 27, added.

Echavarria, Gloria Jr., Guerra, Quinikito, and Senoc are among 24 candidates who will vie for the title at this year’s Mister Friendship International Philippines finals, taking place tomorrow, October 6, at WaterWorld Cebu. Also present at the press event were Michael Enicuela, an Architecture student from Daanbantayan, and Christian Emmanuel Flores, a teacher from Macabebe, Pampanga.

As the sole non-Visayan candidate in attendance, Flores, 26, experienced two firsts: his first visit to the Visayas and his first pageant participation.

“Mister Friendship International promotes inclusivity and self-respect. I joined this competition to tell people that they should respect each other regardless of who they are. I was so happy to find a competition where I wouldn’t be discriminated against because I was bullied and discriminated against by former classmates and even some teachers.”

While his current profession was his father’s choice, Flores became the teacher he never had growing up. “I told myself that I would never be the same teacher I had to endure. I want to create a safe, friendly environment for my students. Sometimes, students are reflections of their teachers,” he said.

The tilt’s winner will represent the Philippines at Mister Friendship International 2024 this December in Taiwan.

“If I get the chance to become the ambassador of Mister Friendship International, I want to show others that we should be accepting of everyone, regardless of who they are,” Flores shared.

Quinikito Jr., 26, added, “I come from a simple community trying to achieve new heights. I learned that Mister Friendship is all about celebrating diversity. Candidates may have different backgrounds and stories, but our differences should serve as bridges. As a child growing up in a small community in Negros Oriental with limited opportunities, I stepped out of my comfort zone to promote my province. I also want to tell my fellow Negrenses to never be afraid to step out of their comfort zones.”

“Since we live in an interconnected world, understanding other people’s backgrounds is key to humanity. That’s what makes this pageant appealing to me,” Enicuela, 23, said, to which Guerra added, “It’s all about international camaraderie, creating relationships and bonds with people from different cultures and races.”

The organizers said that the country’s delegate will face tough challenges in Taiwan, given the Philippines’ reputation as a pageant-loving country. The pageant’s president, Joe Kampol from Thailand, will be one of the judges in the Philippine finals this Sunday.

“I have seen pictures of some candidates from other countries, and I was really shocked,” Senoc admitted, revealing he had to quit his job to join the pageant. “That’s when I started going to the gym, I read more about the pageant, and watched how past winners answered their Q&A.”

On how they would promote their respective hometowns if chosen as this year’s titleholder, they emphasized content creation through social media.

“I will share the stories of Negros Island, its hotspots, and its people. I will also promote local products and artists, advocate for eco-tourism, and encourage the youth to be ambassadors for Negros Island,” Quinikito Jr. offered.

“Promoting Carcar will be easy for me since it’s a heritage city with many ancestral houses. A lot of these spots are Instagrammable,” Guerra said.

Given the pageant’s title, the candidates also shared their thoughts on creating and maintaining good friendships.

“Mutual respect is one of the best values in a friendship. Without it, why would you be friends in the first place?” Echavarria responded.

“There may be ups and downs, but for a long-lasting friendship, you should have loyalty,” Guerra said.

“Kindness is key to growth. If you show it to others, it leads to respect. Respect is not something you can force or fake; it has to come from your heart,” Quinikito Jr. stated.

“We may have different backgrounds, but we should learn to respect each other as friends. No matter what happens, we should choose to be kind. It doesn’t cost much,” Gloria Jr. added.

Other Cebu representatives not present at the press conference include Andro Rey Piencenaves from Lapu-Lapu City and Nick St. Pierre from Minglanilla, as well as Visayas candidates Gabrielle Nicholas De Paz from Tacloban, Marlon Melgar from Leyte, Franz Josef Derequito from Ormoc City, and Joel JB Rogero Badion of Eastern Visayas.

Luzon representatives include Jaicon Maranan from Legazpi City, Kyle Brent Kimayong from Baguio City, Angel Rada Dumpit from Nueva Ecija, John Karl Canilao from Pampanga, Josh Harold De Leon from Batangas, Mick Vince Araojo from La Union, Mark Jerome Ariola from Laguna, Mike Edren Torres from Pangasinan, and Greg Ashley Muñoz from Zambales.

Completing the line-up are Mindanao bet Jansen Kenley See from Misamis Occidental, and overseas candidate August Cruz Lawis, representing the Filipino community of Saudi Arabia.

Tickets for the finals can be purchased in three tiers: general admission, silver, and gold. Contact Alfie at 0991 363 4701 for reservations and inquiries.