Mister International 2015

All posts tagged Mister International 2015

Spotlight | Mister Tourism World Netherlands 2016 Cas Winters

Posted by Norman on November 16, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

You’ve seen him compete in Mister International 2015 here in Manila and, most recently, Mister Universal Ambassador 2016 in Bali/Surabaya, Indonesia last September. Now, Cas Winters has become sharper and more prepared for a 3rd attempt in an international male pageant. Next month, he will represent the Netherlands in the 1st Edition of Mister Tourism World which will happen in Vigan, Ilocos Sur from December 3-10.

Cas has been a Manila resident for several months now. It’s no secret that his girlfriend is Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidate Christianne Ramos who is responsible for “Filipinizing” him. Read his self-made 411 now and tell me if he is genuinely a Pinoy at heart inspite of having a Dutch/Indonesian mix.

“My name is Cas Winters, 26 years old from Den Haag, the Netherlands. The name Cas, which was given to me by my Indonesian mother, is derived from old Scandinavian mythology which means “guardian of the treasures”. I am born and raised in a multicultural, yet closed-knit family of five. My Dutch father is six-foot-eight, hence my statuesque height of six-foot-four. Though my tallness may intimidate people most of the time, I am an easy going person who enjoys meeting new people and making good conversations. What piques my interests are business, economics, art, and traveling–which fuels my drive for the spontaneous adventures and ignites my passions in life.

As to best describe myself, I am a man of the world. This is because I have lived in many different cities and countries including where I currently live, (and so far my favorite) Manila, Philippines. Though I love basking in the beautiful and iconic sceneries of the places I visit, I enjoy immersing myself in different cultures the most. Having parents of two very different cultures made me someone that grew a penchant for the uniqueness and diversity of the world. Moreover, I also have an extreme fondness of trying out different cuisines and recreating them in my own kitchen. My favorite so far is the Filipino dish called Adobo, which I usually eat served with some maalat na itlog (salted egg) and sinangag (garlic rice). Because of my love for traveling and food, I aspire to document my world adventures someday through video blogging on social media. This is also to promote my lifelong advocacy of establishing tourism as a platform of peace and sustainable development.”

Cas feels so much at home living here in Manila. If that will work to his advantage in Mister Tourism World, nobody can tell. But one thing is for sure. He will be the tallest delegate, aside from having the genuine excitement to plunge back into the pageant scene and show to everyone that he deserves to be recognized for his real worth.

I wish you all the best in Mister Tourism World, Cas Winters!

The unfortunate favorites who (shouldn’t have) missed the cut

Posted by Norman on December 1, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

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Left-to-right: Rein Villareal, Rafael Angelucci of Venezuela, Fernando Alvarez of Puerto Rico and Daniel Barreres of Spain (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

In an unintentional blocking onstage before the announcement of the winners of Mister International 2015 last night at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila, my photographer-friend Joy Arguil got a shot of the four candidates above standing side-by-side – Reniel Villareal of the Philippines, Rafael Angelucci of Venezuela, Fernando Alvarez of Puerto Rico and Daniel Barreres. They are some of the heavy favorites to make up the magic circle alongside Pedro Mendes who was eventually named as the night’s most victorious contender.

The image was taken during the last assembly of the Top 5 with all the candidates. We all know by now that the Spanish hunk managed only a Top 15 finish, with the rest reaching only as high as Top 10. The Puerto Rican entry was obviously the most disappointed of not getting further up the ladder. I was told that he actually shed some tears over it, which was expected because the pressure was running high on his back. After all, his fellow compatriots won their respective male pageants in other parts of the world. But it is what it is – a competition where there can be only one #1.

At any rate, these four (4) individuals really gave their absolute best all throughout. They should still hold their heads up high after the final results have been judged and made public. Moving on should be the next most logical thing to do. And with departures happening today, my hope is that they enjoyed their time in the Philippines. Host delegate Reniel Villareal became close to most everyone and his bow in the Top 10 is no mean achievement considering the high quality of participants this year. 🙂

The unfortunate favorites who (shouldn’t have) missed the cut

Posted by Norman on December 1, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

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Left-to-right: Rein Villareal, Rafael Angelucci of Venezuela, Fernando Alvarez of Puerto Rico and Daniel Barreres of Spain (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

In an unintentional blocking onstage before the announcement of the winners of Mister International 2015 last night at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila, my photographer-friend Joy Arguil got a shot of the four candidates above standing side-by-side – Reniel Villareal of the Philippines, Rafael Angelucci of Venezuela, Fernando Alvarez of Puerto Rico and Daniel Barreres. They are some of the heavy favorites to make up the magic circle alongside Pedro Mendes who was eventually named as the night’s most victorious contender.

The image was taken during the last assembly of the Top 5 with all the candidates. We all know by now that the Spanish hunk managed only a Top 15 finish, with the rest reaching only as high as Top 10. The Puerto Rican entry was obviously the most disappointed of not getting further up the ladder. I was told that he actually shed some tears over it, which was expected because the pressure was running high on his back. After all, his fellow compatriots won their respective male pageants in other parts of the world. But it is what it is – a competition where there can be only one #1.

At any rate, these four (4) individuals really gave their absolute best all throughout. They should still hold their heads up high after the final results have been judged and made public. Moving on should be the next most logical thing to do. And with departures happening today, my hope is that they enjoyed their time in the Philippines. Host delegate Reniel Villareal became close to most everyone and his bow in the Top 10 is no mean achievement considering the high quality of participants this year. 🙂

A Swiss Electrician named Pedro Mendes is now Mister International 2015

Posted by Norman on December 1, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , .

  
Pedro Mendes, the electrician from Switzerland is the new Mister International. He succeeds Neil Perez who served a memorable reign. His court includes 1st Runner-Up Anderson Tomazini of Brazil, 2nd Runner-Up Sang Jin Lee of Korea, 3rd Runner-Up Julian Torres of Panama and 4th Runner-Up Jakub Kraus of Czech Republic.

Mister Philippines Reniel Villareal made Top 10. Favorites Puerto Rico and Venezuela did not reach Top 5.

Congratulations, Pedro! 🙂

The Mister International 2015 Top 5

Mister International 2015 LIVE Streaming from Rappler.com

Posted by Norman on November 30, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

Click on the image to head straight to it

Click on the image to head straight to it

Tonight’s Mister International 2015 will be live-streamed by Rappler.com. You can start checking for updates starting at 7:30PM onwards. The actual show should begin somewhere between 8:00-9:00PM.

My Rappler colleague Alexa Villano will be inside the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila to bring you the complete proceedings as they happen, when they happen.

And for those who will watch the live show, see you all there! Please do call out my name or approach if you see me. 😉

Will one of the guys above win Mister International tonight?

Will one of the guys above win Mister International tonight?

Sunday Specials: Who will take it all the way in Mister International 2015?

Posted by Norman on November 29, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

My Final Top 15 for Mister International 2015 (Art layout by Jerome Aquino Caducoy)

My Final Top 15 for Mister International 2015 (Art layout by Jerome Aquino Caducoy)

wpid-received_10201276423748010.jpeg The Top 15 layout above shows the guys who have gotten my thumbs up for the first cut of Mister International 2015. It very clearly shows the five guys who are in the lead as per my personal analysis. And they are (in this order): Daniel Barreres of Spain, Pedro Mendes of Switzerland, Fernando Alvarez of Puerto Rico, Andrea Luceri of Italy and Reniel Villareal of the Philippines.

As for the Ten (10) others, I have made a salad mix of candidates very likely to do well with advantages being given to Anderson Tomazini of Brazil, Freds Rivera of the Dominican Republic, Rafael Angelucci of Venezuela, Chris Nayna of Australia, Jakub Kraus of Czech Republic, Cas Winters of the Netherlands, Nan Li of China, Halley Laithangbam of India, Kenny Austin of Indonesia and Alejandro Ruiz of Mexico.

Now if I were a judge, I would very quickly pencil in my winner and four runners-up the way I presented them above. But in any pageant, there are other factors – some unbloggable – that could alter the final outcome. It cannot be denied that lobbying is a natural occurence. Why else would National Directors from other countries fly to the host country a few days before the finals.

Of course, one cannot totally rely on the strength of such influences. If the hollers come from different directions, then predicting the final tally is open to a variety of combinations. So let me add one major spoiler of a delegate who could prove to be a game changer in the end.

In My Top 5, the first three places are non-negotiable. So I would safely place Spain, Switzerland and Puerto Rico in the magic circle. That leaves the 4th and 5th qualifiers open to changes. And Italy or the Philippines could be sacrificed in favor of one come-from-behind performer. While the host delegate would definitely gain the advantage normally, my gut feel is that he will get the axe. Sadly, that is. Also, Italy is likely to slip away. And who are the likely beneficiaries of their spots? Nan Li of China and Rafael Angelucci of Venezuela.

Here now is my Final Top 5, in alphabetical order of countries represented.

My Top 5 are China, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland and Venezuela (Photo credit: Raymond Saldaña)

My Top 5 are China, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland and Venezuela (Photo credit: Raymond Saldaña)

Much as I wanted Daniel Barreres of Spain to win Mister International 2015, there are signs that either Nan Li of China or Rafael Angelucci could really spoil things for the handsome Spaniard. It might also serve to break the male pageant-winning streak of Puerto Rico for Fernando Alvarez. And by now, Switzerland’s Pedro Mendes and the luster of his golden touch may have possibly gone dusty and all.

Bottomline: If either China or Venezuela becomes the successor of Neil Perez, I wouldn’t fall off my high swivel chair anymore. I still would go for Spain. But it could be a losing battle due to freshly-seen developments. This Top 5 could soon be a reality, though. If all things fall in the ‘right’ places, that is. 😉

Mister Philippines Reniel Villareal: After the Gala Night

Posted by Norman on November 26, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Mister International Philippines 2015 Reniel Villareal in a photo shot by Joy Arguil after the completion of the Gala Night

Mister International Philippines 2015 Reniel Villareal in a photo shot by Joy Arguil after the completion of the Gala Night

Another Reniel Villareal shot from Joy Arguil

Another Reniel Villareal shot from Joy Arguil

Mister International Philippines 2015 Reniel Villareal has gone past feeling the endless pressures of the competition. He knows that the remaining days of Mister International 2015 are crucial, what with the Preliminaries coming up on Friday and the closed door interviews on Saturday. But if he wants to enjoy the whole experience, there’s no better way to play the game than to let it flow. He is giving it his best shot as the host delegate and #ForThePhilippines. If a back-to-back is in the offing, then so be it. Otherwise, he continues to enjoy the company of new friends among the candidates. He has shown his warmest and most endearing self to everyone, short of nailing the Mister Congeniality award if you will.

Between now and Monday, November 30, Rein will stick to the plan and put his best foot forward all the time. But he will also take in the joy of brotherhood and camaraderie he has established with his foreign counterparts.

After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience he wants to cherish forever. He could win Mister International 2015, but he could also just place. Regardless, there will always be good memories to keep him company long after the male pageant is over.

Best of luck in the days to come, Rein! 🙂

For all the Super Reingers out there, this one's for you! (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

For all the Super Reingers out there, this one’s for you! (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

My Ten “Hot-as-Fire” Pre-Final Prediction Picks for Mister International 2015

Posted by Norman on November 25, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Before my Final Predictions this coming Sunday, allow me to share the ten guys on my short-list for Mister International 2015 (Layout by Jerome Aquino Caducoy/Photos by Joy Arguil)

Before my Final Predictions this coming Sunday, allow me to share the ten guys on my short-list for Mister International 2015 (Layout by Jerome Aquino Caducoy/Photos by Joy Arguil)

This coming Sunday, November 29, I will be coming up with my Final Predictions for Mister International 2015. But before I even venture into that, let me share the ten (10) delegates who are in the thick of the fight from my own vantage point. While I am not stating their rankings to be the way it will all boil down to come November 30, my gut-feel is that most, if not all, of them will definitely figure out in the ultimate tally.

And so, from among the thirty-six official competitors, the ones occupying my ten-highest positions for now are:

1) Daniel Barreres of Spain
2) Pedro Mendes of Switzerland
3) Fernando Alvarez of Puerto Rico
4) Andrea Luceri of Italy
5) Freds Rivera of the Dominican Republic
6) Reniel Villareal of the Philippines
7) Chris Nayna of Australia
8) Jakub Kraus of the Czech Republic
9) Rafael Angelucci of Venezuela
10) Anderson Tomazini of Brazil

The likelihood of a final shuffle is still imminent. I am taking my sweet time in analyzing the more intangible factors that could affect the actual rankings of the judges. Attitude and personality are very crucial swing parameters to push someone up or down or plain middling. And in pageants, regardless of looks and hype, it will serve my predictions well to choose someone who can potentially work and reign in harmony with the Mister International Organization of Alan Sim.

Let’s see who really has all the ingredients to become the successor of Mister International 2014 Neil Perez. 😉

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Above is another layout of my hot picks for Mister International 2015 made by the talented Jerome Aquino Caducoy

Daniel Barreres: será el próximo Míster Internacional?

Posted by Norman on November 24, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

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Mister Spain Daniel Barreres for Mister International 2015

image Yes, I titled this post in Spanish to grab your attention, as well as my followers who speak the language. Don’t ask me to write the whole text in the same, but you can expect me to talk positively about 21 year-old Daniel Barreres. He is the future Architect who happens to be Mister Spain in the ongoing Mister International 2015, and is one of the Top favorites to do well in the November 30 finals.

In a previous interview Daniel gave to Hola.com, this eye candy from Valencia believes that having a mother who is half-Filipino (and also born here) will work to his advantage as he has already been raised to appreciate the local culture. It was also his mom who taught him to speak English at a young age to make him bilingual at the very least. He did get to learn a sprinkling of Tagalog, but nothing that he can rely on for conversations.

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Daniel in his National Costume for Mister International 2015

And what could be Daniel’s best skill as an individual? In his own words (and as translated from Google), “Listening. It is something that seems easy, but it is not. When you listen , you empathize , and that’s when you can really help someone else.” And his area for improvement? “I’m too (much of a) perfectionist. It’s something that should change because in the long run, it will only serve to overwhelm me.”

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Daniel Barreres in his formal wear for Mister International 2015 (Photo credit: Yhoung Botor)

Daniel could be a potential Mister International winner. Methinks he could be the closest – albeit remote- connection to a back-to-back victory, if Mister Philippines Reniel Villareal will not be successful in wresting the title from Neil Perez. But then again, I’m just being plain whimsical in this regard. This guy is very much qualified to take it all the way on his own merits.

So who’s for Mister Spain among you, my dear readers? 😉

The Ten Best National Costumes of Mister International 2015

Posted by Norman on November 24, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

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Mister Philippines Reniel Villareal (Photo credit: Haraya of Missosology)

Mister Philippines Reniel Villareal (Photo credit: Haraya of Missosology)

During last night’s National Costume Competition of Mister International 2015 in Ilocos Norte, Ten (10) candidates stood out in the presentation of their respective traditional attires. They are (in alphabetical order of countries now): Anderson Tomazini of Brazil, Halley Laithangbam of India, Kenny Austin of Indonesia, Julian Torres of Panama, Reniel Villareal of the Philippines, Rafal Jonkisz of Poland, Fernando Alvarez of Puerto Rico, Chalaphon Karnwatee of Thailand, Troy Thomas of the USA and Rafael Angelucci of Venezuela. One of them will be announced as winner of the event cone November 30 during the Finals Night at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila.

If you ask me, I would give the #1 spot here to any one of the Asian delegates as they really stood out in their respective garbs. Thailand and the Philippines should be given priority ranking. I won’t be surprised, though, if the entries from the USA or Brazil are given some considerations.

Congratulations to all ten, especially Reniel Villareal of the Philippines. 😉

Thank you to Haraya of Missosology for all the pictures in this post, except the one below.

Mister Philippines Reniel Villareal during his National Costume presentation

Mister Philippines Reniel Villareal during his National Costume presentation