Filipino ‘Aladdin’ welcomes fellow Mister International delegates to Manila
Myron Jude Ordillano of the Philippines (center) is among the five leading delegates in the ‘Media Popularity’ poll, along with (from left) Juan Pablo Colias from Spain, Jason Li Kwan Chiu from Hong Kong, Tor Surasak from Thailand, and Daryn Alexander from the United States./ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — Since winning the Mister International Philippines title in June, Myron Jude Ordillano has been likened to a Disney prince, particularly the live-action version of “Aladdin” portrayed by actor Mena Massoud in the 2019 film. And the Filipino pageant contender hopes it would work to his advantage as he represents the country on the global stage.
“It’s very crazy to me how people compare me to that, and it’s an honor. I wouldn’t think that anybody would ever compare me to such an iconic figure,” he told the Inquirer at the sidelines of the candidates’ press presentation held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City on Oct. 23.
When asked if he believes this will help him in his quest for an international title, he said, “I hope so. I hope it does. But if not, you know, I’ll do my best either way, just by being myself. I’ve been working very hard for this.”
He is up against 33 other delegates from all over the world, but Ordillano said he still finds himself in an enviable position. “I’m very happy to see different parts of the Mister International candidates of the whole world, so I’m just beyond blessed. As much as I want to go outside the country, I am happy to welcome them to our beautiful country,” he shared.
If he wins the title, the Filipino contender said he will use the pageant’s platform to “change the game and revolutionize male pageantry as a whole. Male pageantry over the years has been so stagnant and I feel like we need somebody who could change, and evolve what it means to be a pageant king.”
He said he would want people to appreciate not only the “looks and beauty” but also the advocacy.
The Mister International pageant was founded in Singapore in 2006 by the late Alan Sim, who passed earlier this month. Mister International Philippines Managing Director Ameer Gamama, who is also the national organization’s acting national director, paid an emotional tribute to the founder at the press presentation.
The 2022 Mister International delegates will take part in the preliminary competition on Oct. 27./ARMIN P. ADINA
“We are extremely saddened by the passing of our beloved founder and president, Alan Sim. But if he [was] here today, we are certain that he wants his legacy to continue by holding the 14th edition of Mister International. To our dear founder and president, Alan Sim, we will continue your legacy,” he said.
Gamama added: “After three years of waiting due to the pandemic, we are back to show everyone that Mister International is the most prestigious and the most important male pageant in the world.”
The previous competition was the 2018 edition staged in the Philippines in February 2019 where Trinh Van Bao became the second Vietnamese contender to win the title. The Philippines has so far one titleholder, hunk cop Mariano Flormata Jr., more popularly known as Neil Perez, who won in 2014.
The 2022 Mister International pageant will open its doors to the public for the preliminary competition at Luxent Hotel on Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. The coronation night will be held on Oct. 30 at the New Frontier Theater at the Araneta City in Quezon City.
For details on how to purchase tickets to both the preliminary competition and the coronation night, visit the Mister International pageant’s official Facebook page. EDV
