Great Man of the Universe Philippines Joshua Lillehagen, Bohol/GREAT MAN OF THE UNIVERSE FACEBOOK PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Joshua Lillehagen from Bohol bagged the top plum at the inaugural staging of the Great Man of the Universe Philippines competition at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City on Nov. 13.
From 100 aspirants from all over the country and several overseas Filipino communities, only 40 delegates made it to the face-to-face round of the competition, including the exposure trip to Baguio City where Lillegen also received the “Darling of the Press” award.
The new national male pageant also awarded a handful of titles to other delegates.
Jupheter Franco from South Cotabato was proclaimed Great Man Education and Sports, while Stephen Harold Liley from Sablan, Benguet, was Great Man Culture and Tourism.
The Great Man Top Model title went to Rizmel Cabigao from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, while the Great Man Pro Earth title went to Justin Carl Felas Ong from Tacloban City. Pageant veteran EJ Malik from Lanao del Norte was proclaimed Great Man Ambassador.
Aaron Jo Reyes from the Filipino Community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was hailed as Great Man-Filipino Community. Renzo Austria from Paete, Laguna, was Great Man-Luzon, Apple Pentocan Lao from Leyte was Great Man-Visayas, and Dan Kemuel Erok Mabano from Lugait, Misamis Oriental, was Great Man-Mindanao.
Indescribable feeling
Interviewed in Tagbilaran City, Lillehagen described his experience in joining, as well as winning, the male pageant is the “smartest thing” he has ever done.
“After winning the title, I was in awe. Indescribable feeling. I was trying so hard not to cry on stage,” said the 19-year-old native of Calape town.
“I think the smartest thing I’ve done so far was joining this pageant Great Man of the Universe Philippines, and gaining exposure and getting back into modelling, which is a passion of mine ever since 2018 when I first started modeling,” Lillehagen further said.
“I think the smartest thing I’ve done so far was joining this pageant Great Man of the Universe Philippines, and gaining exposure and getting back into modelling, which is a passion of mine ever since 2018 when I first started modelling,” he added.
Lillehagen, who dreams of becoming an actor, is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in media and communications in the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
“I never actually thought about modelling as a kid. However, it has always been my dream to get into acting and becoming a big movie star one day. It then became a dream of mine to become an ABS-CBN actor too after watching TFC with my Lola when I was a kid,” he said.
Asked how he would describe himself, Lillehagen said that he is brave and competitive, that’s why he did not think of backing out from the challenge. “When I do take up a challenge I will do anything and everything to win.”
In Bohol, he won the Sandugo Festival King 2018.
Being the winner of the tourism tilt, Lillehagen invited other people to explore his province, one of the country’s prime destinations.
“Bohol as a whole is an amazing island, and there’s too many places in Bohol that are a great place to visit that I cannot choose one specific place,” he said.
His message to the world: “Anything is possible if you put your mind to it, if you really try, if you really put your heart and soul, plus blood and tears, everything can be achieved.” EDV