Four winners of Mister International - Police Master Sergeant Neil Perez Flormata Jr. (Philippines, 2014), Jose Anmer Paredes (Venezuela, 2013), Trin Van Bao (Vietnam, 2019), and Seung Hwan Lee (South Korea, 2018) - have reunited in the country for the launch of Mister International-Philippines 2022 pageant.

At the opening of the male search held at Novotel Manila last May 8, the pageant kings inspired young men who want to join male pageants.

"Ang mai-advice ko lang sa mga sumali at sasali sa male pageants, bilang isang Mister International 2014, ako'y nagsimula sa pagiging isang pulis na sumubok sa ganitong pa-timpalak na kung saan nagbibigay ng magandang halimbawa at inspirasyon sa lahat ng kalalakihan lalo na sa mga kabaro ko sa kapulisan na maipakita ang talento, at maging boses ng adbokasiya sa pagpapaganda ng kalusugan at pangangatawan lalo na ngayong pandemya ito ay malaking bagay para mapakita natin sa kanila ang kahalagahan ng pag aalaga ng katawan laban sa virus na atin kinakatakutan," said Perez.

"Itong pageant ay nakakatulong sa bansa lalo na sa turismo. Kaya sa mga papalaring kandidato ng male pageants, dito n'yo ipakita ang talento at kayo ang maging boses para sa ano mang adbokasiya na puwede nyo i-promote para sa mga tao, kasi napakalaking susi rin ito para sa career ninyo sa ano mang propesyon meron kayo.

"At sa mananalo at lalaban sa Mister International, dala mo ang watawat ng Pilipinas. Huwag mong hayaan na masira ang imahe ng Pinoy at pag butihan mo ang laban.

"Sana ikaw na ang pangalawa na magiging Pilipino na magsusuot ng sash ng Mister International at kung darating ang panahong iyon, saludo ako sayo! Stay humble at pagpatuloy natin ang pag suporta sa male pageant na ating sinalihan dahil sila ang naging daan sa kung ano mang ating narating na sa buhay," said Perez.

Paredes said: "They should know that they are like applying for a job. It has a lot of responsibilities because people will expect something from you. So you have to prepare yourself, you have to make sure that you will do a good job, and be the best face of your country around the world."

Hwan Lee commented: "They should prepare a lot of things, especially their body. But the most important thing is the relationship. When we competed in the pageant, we stayed together for almost two weeks. And so I want to tell them to make good relationships. That's the most important thing."

Bao said: "They should be confident. If they are confident, they will do everything and their best."

• National search opens

The search is on for Mister International-Philippines 2022!

National Director Manuel Deldio said that the contest is open to all Filipino men 18 to 28 years old, single, mentally and physically fit, and at least 5”9 tall. They should advocate sports and wellness.

Submit your applications to [email protected]. For more details, visit Mister International Philippines on Facebook and @themisterinternationalph on Instagram.

This year, the Mister International-Philippines Organization is advocating men empowerment through sports and wellness.

“We intend to have an excellent staging of all events to showcase what a true male pageant should look like. Living to our name as the most prestigious and watched male pageant not just in the country but in the world,” says Deldio.

Mister International-Philippines will come up with activities that will hone the talents of candidates. The organization will also introduce a mentoring program in the field of drama, speech, and entrepreneurship.

The finals of the Mister International Philippines 2022 will be held at Okada Manila on June 27.

• Grateful

Mister International-Philippines 2019 Levin Arguelles said that he will relinquish the crown on finals night even if he did not represent the country in an international pageant.

"I will attend the finals of Mister International Philippines in Okada para may formal closure ako," Arguelles said.

After the pageant, Arguelles said that he will focus on his studies. "Focus ako sa studies ko ngayon. Second-year medical student na ako."

On young men joining male pageants, he said: "Kailangan ma meet nila yung qualification na physically and mentally fit. So they need to work out and be informed about current events. Kapag nakasali na sila, enjoy lang sila."