MANILA, Philippines — John Jeffrey ‘Janjep’ Blanca Carlos, a 41-year-old businessman from Cavite, was proclaimed 2019 Mr. Gay World in Cape Town City Hall, South Africa on May 4, beating 21 other aspirants.
Janjep’s runners-up were Francisco José Alvarado, Spain (first), Olivér Pusztai, Hungary (second), Chayodhom Samibat (Thailand) and Nick van Vooren, Belgium (fourth).
The second Filipino to win the title after John Fernandez Raspado in 2017, Janjep also won the Best in National Costume designed by Razen Montero and Best in Written Exam, and was among the Top 3 Best in Swimwear.
Janjep is a staunch advocate of mental health awareness who believes that depression is real and has caused a tragic loss of lives. He was a Top 5 finalist when Raspado won as 2017 Mr. Gay World Philippines.
Janjep was accompanied by an 18-man Team Philippines headed by national director and the first Mr. Gay World Philippines Wilbert Tolentino.