By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today
Filipino-American Ryan Roberts will wear the Mister International Philippines sash in the international male pageant to be held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Nov. 23.
After outshining 14 other candidates during the pageant’s night held Sept. 1 at the A.Venue Events Mall in Makati, Roberts walked home with P20,000, a trophy, and the prestige to be called Mister International Philippines 2008 winner.
Twenty-four-year-old Ryan, who practically grew up in the US, graduated at Fort Walton High School and had served the US Army 101st Airborne Division for four years in Iraq. He is a product of an interracial marriage between his Filipino mother and American father who met in Clark Air Base more than two decades ago.
At six feet tall, Ryan was a crowd favorite during the event and received an overwhelming applause when he gave his answer during the interview portion. He was asked: “Which one is more important: your family or your friends, why?” “Family is the most important thing, but friends are also important. To me, family first and then friends.”
Ryan, who is also into mixed martial arts and surfing, grinned before the judges.
Male pageant veteran Jeff Surio was announced first runner-up and Marikina’s teen hottie John Bardo “JB” Espiritu, second runner-up.
Controversial candidate Ian Porlayagan was not able to fulfill his dream but made it to the top 8. Ian was Mister International Philippines 2007 winner who failed to compete in last year’s international event held in Malaysia. Local organizer and pageant director Mike Lim told the press that he gave Ian another chance for the young man was really upset when previous local organizers were confronted by problems and failed to send him to the international competition.
“We gave him [Ian] another opportunity, after all everybody deserves a second chance,” Lim clarified. “Now, I will make sure that Ryan Roberts signs the contract as a proof that he will fly abroad to represent the country,” he chuckled during the pageant’s coronation party.
The program that started two hours late was however a record-breaking event for any pageant. It lasted for more than an hour with a fashion pageant concept—an idea of Lim who is also a Public Relations professor at the De La Salle University. There were no special awards given and everything was fast paced. The successful pageant itself indeed serves as a benchmark for all male pageants because it raised the standard and was made truly classy.
The contestants sashayed on the runway wearing creations by Eric de los Santos (Casual Wear), Barge Ramos (Barong Tagalog), Freego (Jeans) and Rickie Abad (Swimwear). They were judged according to their looks, physique and personality that reflected during the interview portion.
The contestants were trimmed down to eight and those who made it to the short list were: Leo Reyes, Bryan Baculi, Ryan Roberts, Ian Leonel Porlayagan, John Bardo “JB” Espiritu, Sary Alsiyed, Jeff Surio and Christian Ang-Cayabyab. The eight were then individually asked a question to test their intelligence. The host told the finalists that language proficiency is not a measure of intellect. Finalists were encouraged to speak the language they are comfortable withg. The questions were asked in English and then repeated in Filipino.
The complete list of 15 who made it through the stiff selection process were: Leo Reyes, Bryan Baculi, Ricswartz “RS” Sibal, Mike Lee, Ryan Roberts, Ian Leonel Porlayagan, Gilbert Lopez, John Bardo “JB” Espiritu, Sary Alsiyed, Jeff Surio, Juan Lorenzo “Enzo” Quitiquit, Aaron Jimenez, Dennis Torres, Philip Ramos and Christian Ang-Cayabyab.
As people in the audience (who were mostly men or looks can really be deceiving) drooled while the 15 gentlemen paraded and flaunted their chiseled torso during the swimwear competition, proportionally, 15 judges as well made crucial decisions in choosing the country’s legitimate representative to the upcoming international pageant.
The board of judges was chaired by Bohol socialite Lani Schoof. Other judges were A.Venue’s Nancy Coo, celebrity columnist Crispina Belen, designers Paul Cabral, Barge Ramos, Ricky Abad and Renee Salud, Aficionado’s Joel Cruz, Manila Times Entertainment editor Ricky Gallardo, PR man Donnie Ramirez, entrepreneur Caloy Varela, Malayan Bank executive Chris Jalandoni, dermatologist Joni Dizon, and fashion and events director Robbie Carmona.
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