Mr. International – Philippines 2008 was launched early this month in search of the official Philippine representative to the Mr. International 2008 Pageant to be held in Taiwan (Republic of China) on October 4, 2008. In connection with this, three screenings were held at the 360 Restaurant and Bar in Makati City to choose the 12 finalists who will vie for the title and the chance to represent the country in the international tilt. The contestants, at the time of the screening, must have possessed the following qualifications: 1.) a male citizen of the Philippines or a primary resident of the Philippines for at least 6 months immediately prior to the local pageant; 2.) 18-years-old and under 30-years-old as of May 1, 2008; 3.) never been married never have fathered a child or have been a parent; 4.) a handsome face and well-toned physique, of
good health and moral character. 4.) never have participated in a previous Mister International Pageant, nor have been selected from a male pageant conducted in the Philippines or alternatively, and must not have been nominated by the local national director with approval from the Mister Singapore Organization.

25 candidates (composed of fresh faces, bikini contest veterans, male pageant contenders, a Viva Man of Provoq and a former Mr. Philippines – International grand winner) made it through the first cut, these are: Aaron Jimeno, Alvin Aguilar, Bryan Baculi, Christian Cayabyab, Chris Ong-Hay, Dennis Torres, Gilmor Navalta, Ian Leonel Porlayagan, Jeff Surio, Jimmy Dionisio, John Bardo Espiritu, Juan Lorenzo Quitiquit, Julian Jerry Binarao, Laurence Zeus Rafer, Leo Reyes, Mark Joseph Griswold, Mike Lee, Norman Mallare, Paulo Saroma, Philip Ramos, Ralph Gino Verona, Richard Lopez, Ricswartz Sibal and Ryan Dungo.

The list will be further trimmed to 18 and these 18 will be given the chance to compete at the Grand Coronation Night on September 1, 2008 to be held at A. Venue Events Mall, 7829 Makati Avenue corner Valdez Street, Makati City. For ticket inquiries, you may contact Mike Lim at (0917)8282588.

Special thanks to: Mr. Ian Felix Alquiros of Mensroomph, the official photography partner of Mr. International – Philippines 2008.

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Note: You are probably surprised at why Ian Leonel Porlayagan is in the competition once again when he was already declared last year’s grand winner. Well, Ian wasn’t able to compete in last year’s international pageant due to a fiasco which involved the Mr. Philippines pageant last yer. Apparently, the organizer of Mr. Philippines 2007 did not own any of the Philippine franchises to the international competitions, and thus was not allowed to send representatives to the international male pageants, namely: Mr. International, Mr. Expo-World, Mr. International Man.

Since Ian was not allowed to compete in the Mr. International Pageant in 2007 which has held in Mexico City, this year’s organizers (which is different from last year’s) decided that he should, at least, be given another chance to compete in the local pageant. If he wins, then he can represent the country in the Mr. International Pageant this 2008.

Some of the standouts

Dennis Torres

Christian Cayabyab

John Bardo Espiritu

Leo Reyes

Marvin Miranda

Ian Leonel Porlayagan

The rest of the semi-finalists

Juan Lorenzo Quitiquit

Alvin Aguilar

Bryan Baculi

Jeff Surio

Chris Ong-Hay

Norman Mallare

Mark Joseph Griswold

Ryan Dungo

Julian Jerry Binarao

Richard Lopez

Laurence Zeus Rafer

Paulo Saromo

Mike Lee

Gilmor Navalta

Ricswartz Sibal

Philip Ramos

Aaron Jimeo

Ralph Gino Verona

Jimmy Dionisio