Neil Perez is Mister International 2014. Photo courtesy of Neil Perez for Mister Philippines 2014 Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines - The police officer from Tondo, Manila is the Philippines' latest pageant titleholder.
Neil Perez, also known as Mariano Perez Flormata Jr. of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation and Security Group, was named Mister International 2014.
The male pageant was held in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday, February 14.
Rabdu El Zein of Lebanon was named first runner-up while Tomas Dumbrovsky was named second runner-up.
Perez bested 42 other contestants for the title. He is the ninth Mister International and first Filipino to win the title.
Photo courtesy of Missosology/Mister International Facebook Official
Perez, in an interview with the press prior to the pageant, said he is dedicating his participation in Mister International to the 44 police officers who were slain in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
"Naawa ako sa pamilya ng mga kapwa pulis ko dahil alam kong umaasa silang babalik silang buhay at walang nangyaring masama sa kanila. Pero ito nga ang nangyari. Sana may managot sa pangyayaring ito." Perez said.
He added, “Kaming mga nasa PNP, sinusugal namin ang buhay namin para sa bayan. Kaya nga Tagaligtas kami. Sa nangyaring ito, may mali, eh. Hindi dapat nangyari ito kung may maayos na pagbigay ng order."
“Kaya ipinagdarasal ko na may umako ng pagkakamaling ito. Maawa sila sa pamilya ng Special Action Force 44.”
The new Mister International became an internet sensation after his photos for the Mister Philippines 2014 pageant surfaced online prior to his win in the local pageant.