Models, rookies show up at screening of The Miss Philippines, Mister Pilipinas Worldwide
National and international pageant veterans Joanna Rabe (second from left), Chantal Schmidt (third from left), and Blessa Figueroa (second from right) join some of The Miss Philippines applicants for a photo./ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines—After six consecutive Saturdays of screenings that started in August, The Miss Philippines Culture and Heritage Celebration and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide competition have wrapped up their search for candidates.
The quests yielded familiar faces.
Pageant veterans, professional models, and competitive newbies trooped to the two searches’ final screening day on September 9 at Enderun Coworking at the South Wing of Estancia Mall in Pasig City.
The names of successful aspirants will be known on September 13.
Among those who joined the selection panel were Mister Pilipinas Worldwide National Director Joshua De Sequera.
He was first runner-up in the 2022 Manhunt International Male Supermodel.
Reigning Mister Pilipinas Supranational Johannes Rissler also participated.
Rissler finished in the Top 20 of the 2023 Mister Supranational pageant in Poland.
Mister Pilipinas Worldwide National Director Joshua De Sequera/ARMIN P. ADINA
“What we aim for is to get better and better candidates every year,” De Sequera told INQUIRER.net in an interview.
“I’m very happy with the candidates that we have right now,” he shared.
“Some of them are very seasoned na. Some are actors. Some are models. Some have been modeling for quite a while na. So it’s good to see [the] diversity there,” he noted.
De Sequera’s Global Asian Model Philippines batchmate Duamier Corilla was among the applicants who appeared at the screening, along with top model Aaron Davis.
Corilla captured the 2019 Manhunt International Philippines title.
De Seguera also saw the applicants for The Miss Philippines and found them “dashing and beautiful.”
Among those who lined up were reigning Miss GMADII Joanna Rabe, who had already joined Binibining Pilipinas, Mutya ng Pilipinas, and Miss Universe Philippines pageants; 2022 Miss Universe Philippines semi-finalist Chantal Schmidt; and 2022 Miss Filipina International Blessa Figueroa.
De Sequera did not mince words in saying that he was looking for applicants who are at least 6 feet tall.
“They’re gonna be representing the Philippines in international pageants after this Mister Pilipinas Worldwide edition,” he explained.
But he also added that others may still make up for not meeting his personally-preferred height with intelligence.
“We’re just here to find the best candidate that could be thrown on the international arena,” he said.
Rissler, for his part, advised the aspirants to “stay true to yourself and know your purpose.”
He won his national title during the competition’s first edition in May.
Just two months later, Rissler found himself in Poland to carry the Philippine flag on an international stage.
Mister Pilipinas Supranational Johannes Rissler/ARMIN P. ADINA
The Miss Philippines and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide opened the application to parents and married aspirants from all over the country and in different parts of the world.
The female search was open to applicants between 18 and 32 years old, while the male contest had an age range of 18 to 35 years old.
Aiming to further reinvent national competitions in the country, both pageants will not have any swimsuit competition in their final shows.
The Miss Philippines will also have a red carpet moment, in lieu of the evening gown competition.
In this portion, delegates can opt to wear any outfit they deem as their best formal wear. Their clothes will not be limited gowns.
And instead of the traditional question-and-answer round, the ladies will deliver Ted Talks-type of speeches.
Meanwhile, fashion and style will be the focus of Mister Pilipinas Worldwide competition.
It will totally scrap the question-and-answer part.
The contestants will showcase their personality in streetwear, athletic/leisure, and formal wear.
The Miss Philippines and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide are both supported by Kemans as presenting partner.
The winners will also each bring home their own Wuling mini electric vehicle, and trophies designed by Jef Albea exclusively for the competitions.
Former Manhunt International Philippines Daumier Corillla (front, second from right) and top model Aaron Davis (standing, third from left) are among the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide aspirants./ARMIN P. ADINA
The Miss Philippines will choose the country’s representatives to the 2024 Miss Supranational, 2024 Miss Asia Pacific International, and 2025 Miss Charm competitions.
Mister Pilipinas Worldwide, on the other hand, will proclaim the Filipino delegates to next year’s editions of Mister Supranational, Mister International, Manhunt International Male Supermodel, Mister Global, and Mister Cosmopolitan.
The final shows of the two contests will serve as back-to-back events that will headline the celebration of the first-ever show called ‘The Filipino Festival’ in October.
During the program, Pauline Amelinckx and Rissler will relinquish their national titles to their successors.
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