Mr Gay World 2016 2nd Runner-Up Christian Lacsamana and MGWP2016 Top 5 Finisher Lei Ponce
It’s true. You don’t go searching for love and end up with slim pickings in the process. You wait for love to find you and the first encounter might just develop into something more meaningful and worth entering into a relationship.
Mr. Gay World 2016 2nd Runner-Up Christian Lacsamana and Mr Gay World Philippines 2016 Top 5 Finisher Leo Andrew “Lei” Ponce knew each other prior to the national competition that culminated in the Grand Finals last Sunday at the UP Theater. But their closeness got stronger as they coasted along the highway of love in the weeks that preceded the pre-pageant activities and all.
Christian knew that he could not publicly declare their relationship in volumes yet so as not to cast a shadow of doubt on his intentions – he being the reigning titleholder and Lei being one of the contenders for his title.
But now that Mr Gay World Philippines is finally over, Christian and Lei do not mind coming out with their relationship status more proudly. In fact, I met up with the two right after the show and were discussing in jest what title I would give this blog post just to make it more sweet and love-filled.
I am a hopeless romantic underneath and came up with a play on their names, specifically Lei’s because he is like a colorful garland of orchids that can be placed around the heart (not the neck this time around) of Christian to signify the bond that has leveled up. They truly love each other, regardless of individual quirkiness, shortcomings and the like.
After all, an imperfect relationship provides the needed learning curve to make things work to near perfection, if at all possible. Christian and Lei are ready for the hurdles and sandtraps along the way. And so, the love story continues as they return to the reality of their personal and professional lives.
Your blogger being sandwiched by the two lovebirds
Tonight, two national pageant finals will be held almost simultaneously – Miss World Philippines 2016 at the The Tent City, Manila Hotel and the Mr. Gay World Philippines at the UP Theater.
The top winners for each will represent the country in Miss World 2016 and Mr. Gay World 2017.
Eager to find out who will come out as #1 but won’t be able to watch the actual proceedings? No need to worry.
courtesy of GMA Network
Miss World Philippines 2016 will have a TV telecast over GMA Network starting at 10:15pm, while Mr. Gay World Philippines will be live-streamed by Rappler (see link below plus a scheduled airing on TV5 on October 8).
It all comes down to this. Tomorrow night is when Mr Gay World Philippines will be chosen.
courtesy of Pageant TV
First off, below is a video of my Top 5 Predictions:
Now here are the Top 15 on my list in photos:
Truthfully, I have assessed the Official Candidates over and over again for the past two weeks (moreso when I sat on the panel of Pre-Pageant judges last September 18) and I could really see the competition among the 34 remaining gay men being dominated by five of them:
1) John Raspado of Baguio City – the tall and very good-looking Igorot who has the Mr. Gay World profile all over his features and qualifications. He can also speak his mind well, and needs to just steady his nerves during crunch time. The title is his to lose, in my opinion. If he fumbles in the most important part of the competition, the next likeliest winner would be…
2) Janjep Carlos of Cavite – the adorable chinito who never hides the fact that he went under the knife to achieve the look he now proudly displays to all and sundry. This guy can be a real scene stealer once you give him the chance to express his innermost self. He can have a way with words, and in a brief and concise manner at that. He is definitely the biggest opponent of the #1 on my list, but would not yet discount the plan of attack being readied by…
3) Bench Ortiz of Pangasinan – cleary the most familiar face in the competition, owing to his widespread popularity among fans and followers of KF Beauty Queens and the camp’s pageant contenders as a Fitness Coach. He definitely exudes a tempered flamboyance that will never go unnoticed. And I have always seen him as the Best in Swimwear among all comers. But how far will he go considering that there could be a silent killer in…
4) Khalil Vera Cruz of Zamboanga del Sur – this corporate yuppie who earned his latest business acumen from the Asian Institute of Management blends his very Pinoy facial charm with a generous dash of wit and a very articulate self. And boy, he is the most dashing when it comes to suits, tux and smart casual wear. Did I also mention that he is an active voice for HIV/AIDS Awareness #LoveYourSelf? But wait, there could be one more spoiler in the ranks and he is…
5) Leo Andrew Ponce of Batangas – the former business trader turned professional hair and make-up artist can also be a force to reckon with. He may not have the look that grabs you outright. But he definitely overflows in character. His appeal grows on you and stays firmly rooted. He is a vocal LGBTQi advocate who will will always fight for equality and give a whiplash to gay men who discriminate their fellow gay men.
These five are my strongest bets for the title, and I bet one of them will be our representative in Mr. Gay World 2017.
As for the remaining ten on my list, I would pick two (2) special competitors who may also pull a hat trick and surprise everyone come October 2. Sycris Brown of General Santos City and Ron Ramos of Palawan could be real spoilers if the breaks come their way. We’ll just have to wait and see if any cookie will crumble and give way to their entry to the big spotlight.
So for now, my top pick for Mr. Gay World Philippines is John Fernandez Raspado of Baguio City. He’d better deliver because I have a lot of faith in him. He is definitely in it to win it.
My top pick for Mr Gay World Philippines
Allow me now to give a huge thanks to the Head and Founder of Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization Wilbert Tolentino who has transformed the usually non-mainstream search to the national level with his brave and daring. He has the maverick personality that will pull out all the stops to make this competition a big success. Kudos as well to his senior team made up of Raoul Barbosa, Ryan Soto, Rodgil Flores and others for providing solid support from beginning to end.
To the successor of Christian Lacsamana, may you inspire even more.
Wilbert Tolentino (middle) with the Pre-Pageant judges (including yours truly) and some of the candidates
See you at the UP Theater this Sunday. It’s going to be one hell of a show that could approximate Miss Universe proportions. 🙂
There are 36 Official Aspirants for Mr Gay World Philippines 2016
courtesy of Pageant TV
There are – count them – thirty-six Official Candidates for Mr. Gay World Philippines 2017. From as far north as the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley, to as deep south as Zamboanga Peninsula – these handsome and professional gay men have come forward to lay their claim on the title and become the country’s representative to Mr Gay World 2017. The looks and built may vary, but one thing is certain – they all have individual strengths and special qualities that lift them above ordinary pageant participants. Be it from the corporate world or the fitness industry or in the field of entertainment, these guys will show you what it takes to have the most fulfilling life journey and be proudly gay at the same time.
Truth be told, I am impressed with the line-up. And this early, the prospects of trimming down the thirty-six contenders to my personal favorites are getting more and more difficult as the day goes by. But let me take a stab at sharing the ones who are getting my fancy for now.
Keep in mind that a few of the choices in this early dozen will still likely change (and replaced by new ones) in the upcoming weeks.
Mr Gay World Philippines 2017 will have its Grand Finals at the UP Theater on October 2, with a late telecast over TV5. Reigning titleholder Christian Lacsamana will definitely have the sweetest turnover of the responsibility when that time comes.
Mark the date. October 2 for the finals at the UP Theater
More on the competition plus the Press Presentation soon! 😉
The search is on for the successor of Christian Lacsamana
courtesy of pamilyaandaya
Are you ready for this?
The search is on for the 9th Annual Mr. Gay World Philippines! If you are a gay man between 18-45 years old and possessing all the qualifications stated in the teaser video above, then you could be the country’s representative to Mr. Gay World 2017 (host city to be announced). A prize package worth PhP300,000 awaits the winner.
If you are interested to join (or to inquire first), visit the pageant’s FB page by clicking HERE.
Screening of applicants will be held on June 30, 2016.
Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana
courtesy of Wilbert Tolentino
In just a few weeks from now, Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana will be departing for Valleta, Malta to embark on what could possibly be his biggest mission and challenge in life – to win the country’s first-ever Mr. Gay World title, bring honor to the country and be an inspiration to people everywhere with his platform on HIV Awareness and HIV Stigma.
With the generous backing of Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization headed by Wilbert Tolentino, the guy is dead serious in doing well in the finals come late April. More than anything else, he wants to create a big impact in the host city once the actual competition goes underway. I personally believe he can.
Here is an inspiring message from Christian himself.
“We are just as important and we all play pivotal roles in making this planet a better place to live in. This leads me to believing that Mr. Gay World is not by principle just a pageant of pomp and grandeur. I believe that it seeks to serve a noble purpose and as i begin with myself, I trust the MGW organization may be pleased to make me his agent of change to influence others to be responsible.” #mrgayworld2016 #mrgayworldPhilippines #labanPilipinasMGw2016
Vote for Christian by clicking on the link below
Please keep on supporting our bet, Christian, by voting for him in the online poll of Mr. Gay World 2016. Click HERE!
Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana during his send-off
Early last night at the new Club One 690 in Quezon City, Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Reyes Lacsamana was given his lavish send-off complete with an entertainment show – with showstopping performers Pink Mannequins and dancers and hosted by the beautiful Kristine Caballero Aplal – that added a very festive spirit to the whole proceedings.
Christian, a 30 year-old Secondary School Teacher from Pampanga, has been appointed by Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization (MGWP Org) led by its President Wilbert Tolentino to represent the Philippines in Mr. Gay World 2016 happening in Malta from April 19-23.
Your blogger and Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana (Photo credit: Lito Caleon)
Christian is very positive that he will make an purposeful impact in the pageant because he is committed to spreading the ideals of Mr. Gay World as well as injecting his strong advocacy to be the continuous voice of HIV Awareness and Stigma around the world. He is bent on becoming the first Asian and Filipino to win the crown so that he can bring back the honor to the country and the region for that matter.
Our bet will get the full support of MGWP Org in his journey to Malta with its key officers joining him for the momentous trip. He will be dressed fabulously for the entire period of competition from swimwear to formal wear to his very elaborate National Costume that is inspired by both the Sarao Jeepney and the Moriones Festival.
Christian (right) being interviewed by Lhar Santiago of GMA-7
Below is a quick plug of normannorman.com from Christian himself.
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From all of us here at normannorman.com, we wish you all the best. We will continue to support you all the way. Bring home the crown! 😀
Your design might just be worn by Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana in Malta
Do you want to use your creative mind in designing the National Costume of Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana to be worn in Malta for Mr. Gay World 2016 this coming April? Well, this might be the opportunity for you!
Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization headed by Wilbert Tolentino has just launched a Design Competition to be able to do just that. You can possibly win the whole thing and get your visual creation transformed to reality in the international pageant stage. This contest is open to both aspiring and established fashion designers. Go check out the details above on how to join.
In the meantime, Christian’s preparations for the big annual event are in full swing. Watch the video below to see his Road to Malta, including the line-up of all his predecessors leading to his 2016 claim to fame. 🙂
Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana is Malta-bound
The title of this post really says it all. Things are looking up for dashing Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana. He is scheduled to fly to Malta to represent the country in Mr. Gay World 2016 happening in mid-April. And the guy is super excited to be the 8th Ambassador of the Philippines for the competition among gay men around the globe.
Watch out for my exclusive one-on-one interview with Christian. We will definitely sit down and talk soon so that I will get to know more about the inner workings inside his head about the mission he is about to embark on.
I will also have a special coverage about his preparations and actual pageant immersion in Mr. Gay World. 😉
Christian Lacsamana, aka 'Zorro' (center) defeated twenty four other candidates to be named Mr. Fahrenheit 2015
Christian during the formal wear segment
All the candidates went by code names (men’s cologne scents in this case) but it really didn’t matter to the judges because the objective was to find the most deserving gay man to become the winner of the Thirteenth Annual Search for Mr. Fahrenheit 2015. Together with my fellow jurors (Miss Global Philippines 2014 Catherine Almirante, Slimmers World Miss Bikini Philippines 2014 Hazel Ortiz, noted photographer Gelbert Aplal and Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014 Kris Tiffany Janson), your blogger scored the 25 candidates according to how well they presented themselves in sports wear, swimwear and formal wear and the all-important Q&A that definitely made the eventual winners shine.
Photos from the finals of Mr. Fahrenheit 2015
The contestant who went by the name of ‘Zorro’ (Christian Lacsamana in real life) was one of the top leaders all throughout. He even got Best in Swimwear. But it was during Top 10 and Top 5 where he clearly stamped his class as he delivered answers that were both articulate and well-thought of. When he quoted an article in the Philippine Constitution for his answer about LGBT discrimination concerns in the country, the title was practically in the bag. And I was no longer surprised that the 29 year-old did well, being a MAPEH Grade 7 teacher at San Juan High School in Mexico, Pampanga
Four other finalists – 1st Runner-Up ‘Calvin Klein’ (Jhapett Raymundo), 2nd Runner-Up ‘Perry Ellis’ (Kenneth Balboa, who got Best in Sport Wear and Formal Wear), 3rd Runner-Up ‘Prada Milano’ (Jose Diaz) and ‘Hummer’ (Jose Ricamonte Karganilla) stayed in the hunt till the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Your blogger with Kris, Catherine and Hazel
Congratulations to all the winners, as well as to F Philippines’ CEO & Founder Wilbert Tolentino, Publicist Ryan Soto and Director Rodgil Flores (of KF) for a successful holding of the search.
It was a full-packed venue that had a lot of ‘clans’, supporters and followers coming in droves to witness the whole event. 🙂
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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