It's raining men as 34 candidates from all over the world square off for the top spot of Manhunt International Male Supermodel 2022 which will have its Grand Finals at Okada Manila on Oct. 1. During the event, 2022 winner Paul Luzineau from the Netherlands will crown his rightful successor.
Manhunt International is the longest and most prestigious of male competitions, having been launched in 1993. This is the third time that the Philippines is hosting the contest, after doing so in 2020 and 1999.
Joshua De Sequera, a 25-year-old volleyball player, is the country's representative in the 2022 competition. He is the son of actress and 90s beauty queen Marina Benipayo.
Since arriving in the country a week ago, the contestants have visited Intramuros, experienced island life in Puerto Galera, sampled local food at a restaurant in Laguna, and met the press, among other activities.
Rosko Dickinson, president of Manhunt International, clarified that the competition should not be called a pageant or a body builder search.
"We've always been associated with the modeling industry and that is really what Manhunt is all about, giving gentlemen an opportunity and a showcase. Some of them will take the opportunity and walk through the door to advance their modeling careers, especially if they happen to win the contest," Dickinson remarked.
The minimum height requirement for Manhunt International is 1.8 meters or 5'11. They should also have a fit physique, be photogenic, have a good attitude and a pleasant personality.
Dickinson said they will not feature the national costumes this year. Instead, the candidates will walk down the runway in their high fashion outfit of choice. This will be one of the criteria for judging, along with swim wear and formal wear.
Winners will also be chosen for the Runway, Casting, and Physique Challenges posted on the YouTube accounts of Manhunt International and Empire Philippines. The topnotcher for each challenge will be chosen by a panel of judges (50 percent) and number of views (50 percent). A Mr. Popularity Award will also be given, and the winner will advance to the Top 16 in the finals.
The official list of candidates:
Australia -Lochie Carey
Belgium - Stef de Plecker
Brazil - Henson Baltazar
Bulgaria - Viktor Rusinov
Canada - Samuel Albert
El Salvador - Gerardo Ojeda
Fernando de Noronha - Jeferson Andrade
France - Cédric Cabane
Germany - Ertug Muslu
Greece - Zacharias Ktistakis
India - Rakesh Nongmaithem
Indonesia - Deo Nikolas
Japan - Kiichiro Sakamoto
Kazakhstan - Bakyt Tolegenov
Korea - Junhyeok Chan
Malaysia - Edward Kong
Myanmar - Thar Htet Aung
Nepal - Bikalp Shrestha
Netherlands - Cas Hagman
Nicaragua - Hanniel Espinoza
Nigeria - Lam Chis Chidubem
Pakistan - Raheel Muhammad Saleem
Panama - Jaime Gabriel Garcia;
Peru - Daniel Jares
Philippines - Joshua de Sequera
Poland - Marcin Niedzielski;
Singapore - Darren Kessler
South Africa - Marcus Max Karsten
Spain - Alexander Calvo
Sri Lanka - Supun Maduranga
Thailand - Toto Pakorn Rodkhumpiyaset;
USA - Elijah Van Zanten
Venezuela - Jose Luis Trujillo; and
Vietnam - Trân Manh Khiên