Charge it to first-timer’s luck.
In his first time to compete in a beauty contest, Pedro Mendes beat 36-plus aspirants for the Mister Switzerland title which earned him the right to represent his country in the 2015 Mister International held a few days ago in the Philippines. His luck held. He won the crown over more than 36 contestants succeeding the Philippines’ (SAF) Neil Perez.
His runners-up were Brazil’s Anderson Tomazini (first), South Korea’s Sang-Jin Lee (second), Panama’s Julian Torres (third) and Czech Republic’s Jakub Kraus (fourth). Pedro is going back home tonight but will be back in January next year to try his luck here (maybe in modeling or showbiz).
Aside from his good looks, what did Pedro think made him clinch the title?
“My positive outlook helped,” said Pedro who speaks Portuguese but very little English. No problem. Anderson Tomazini was around as interpreter. “I believe in what I can achieve,” added Pedro. “Your mind must be in harmony with your soul. That way, you can achieve your goals.”
His experience as a model was a plus factor, too.
“My work has brought me to different countries,” shared Pedro. “I’ve been to Continental countries and Arab countries. I traveled around Europe for modeling. But it’s my first time to be in Asia.”
A Catholic, Pedro was born on Nov. 1, 1987, in Portugal. While still a baby, he migrated with his parents (both Portuguese) to Geneva where he grew up and studied. He has a younger brother, 20.
“Our life in Portugal was hard, so my parents decided to move to Geneva. That’s where I got my degree in Electrical Engineering. I’ve been practicing as electrician for six years now.”
As required by the government, Pedro said that he also served in the military for 10 months.
“It’s obligatory for young men in Switzerland,” said Pedro. “We worked in the forest. I was away from my family but it was an exciting experience. I learned discipline in the military, and also independence.”
Sorry, ladies, but Pedro admitted that he has a girlfriend, Catarina Lopez, also a Portuguese, who represented Switzerland in the just-concluded 2015 Miss Supranational pageant held in Poland. The Philippine bet, Rogelie Catacutan, landed only in the Top 20.
“We were together in the Mr. and Miss Switzerland contest,” recalled Pedro. “We both won. That’s how we met. After the contest, we started dating.”
With his girlfriend Catarina Lopez, 2015 Miss Switzerland who competed in the just concluded 2015 Miss Supranational
How do you take care of your body?
“Discipline is very important. I eat only food that is good for my body, never junk food, just clean food. Nutrition makes up 80 percent of how I take care of my body and 20 percent exercise. Two years ago, I was very fat. Very big. Thanks to discipline and good diet I was able to lose weight.”
What’s usually for breakfast?
“Lots of fruits. Fructose, the sugar in fruits, is good to start your day with.”
For lunch?
“I eat a bit of everything — rice, meat, chicken. I eat more at lunch than I do for breakfast.”
And for dinner?
“Very light meal. Soup and tuna.”
What workout do you do?
“I run. There’s a big space around our house where I can run. Or I go to the mountain with my girlfriend and we run together. I do it every day.”
Do you smoke?
“No, I don’t.”
Do you drink?
“No, I don’t. No alcohol. Only water.”
How much water do you take per day?
“A minimum of two liters per day. Around six big glasses.”
Your body looks almost perfect. Any part that needs improvement?
“My legs. They are long. I need to have more muscles in the legs.”
What part is your favorite?
“My chest.”
And what part of a woman’s body do you notice first?
“Her legs. I like long legs. They look beautiful in a woman.”
What about the boobs?
“That’s not a problem. Whether big or small, it’s okay. I also like beautiful eyes.”
What kind of women turns you off?
“No kind of women turns me off. But I’m not attracted to women who color their hair red.”
How much sleep do you get per night?
“Six to eight hours.”
Favorite sleepwear?
“Just my underwear.”
Never in the nude?
“Sometimes…when I am with my girlfriend. But we only sleep. Hahaha!”
How many pillows do you sleep with?
“Oh, many! One, two, three, four, five. Five pillows. I have a big bed in Switzerland.”
So five pillows and one woman.
“Yes. Nice to sleep with five pillows and a woman, my girlfriend. Hahahaha!!!”
Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
“Drink a glass of milk. I love Swiss milk.”
First thing that you do as soon as you wake up?
“Go to the bathroom.”
How’s your nightlife?
“So many invitations to parties but I prefer to stay home with my girlfriend and our friends.”
How’s your love life?
“Very good. I travel a lot and so does my girlfriend who is also a model. It’s very difficult but it’s our job. So we try to spend quality time when we are together.”
Lights on or lights off?
“Lights on because I want to see my girlfriend’s beautiful face and beautiful body…just sleeping. Hahahaha!”
Do you still look at other women even if you have a beautiful girlfriend?
“Yes, I do. But look only. I admire beauty.”
Are you faithful?
“Yes, I am.”
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