Reigning Mister International Kim Goodburn/ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — Thai actor Kim Goodburn has amassed a significant following in the Philippines through his movies and series, and he said Filipinos have been egging him to visit the country. He finally did, and it is even more special as it is his first overseas trip as the reigning Mister International.
Goodburn, who appeared in the boys’ love (BL) series “I Feel You Linger in the Air” and “Bad Buddy,” became the first Thai winner of the Mister International title in the male tilt’s 15th edition held in Bangkok last month. Jefferson Bunney from the Philippines, who is also part-British like he is, finished in the Top 10 in the competition.
“I think I was you know, just casually spending my day at home, and I got the confirmation that I was coming to the Philippines. And I acquired some sort of a fan base in the Philippines through the movies and the series that I’ve taken part in. So you know, I’ve been getting messages from my Filipino fan base saying, you know, like, ‘I want you to come to Philippines,’ or ‘hopefully you can come visit one day.’ And you know, to finally get the chance to come, I’m incredibly happy and really hope I can meet every one of you,” he told INQUIRER.net at the VIP Lounge of the Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City upon his arrival from Bangkok, the evening of Oct. 22.
“This is actually my first time in the Philippines. So I’m incredibly grateful to be here today. And you know, I’m extremely excited for what’s to come over the next few days. You know, there’s a lot of stuff, media interviews, and also the huge festival on Tuesday, which I’m incredibly looking forward to. I think coming to Philippines, it really marks the start for my reign as Mister International 2023,” the Thai heartthrob continued.
Goodburn said has already been exposed to the country’s culture through his Filipino friends back. “They were like, okay, they’ve sent me a list already of what to have, you know, singang, adobo, Jollibee, halo-halo. So I’m definitely going to try it,” he shared.
He is the second international titleholder to arrive on Sunday, following Miss Supranational Andrea Aguilera from Ecuador. A third queen, reigning Miss Asia Pacific International Chaiyenne Huisman, will return to the Philippines tonight, four years after capturing her crown in 2019, the global tilt’s last edition before pausing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three will be seen at the finals of The Miss Philippines Culture and Heritage Celebration and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Oct. 24, starting at 5 p.m. Another Thai actor, Nattawat Jirochtikul, will stage his Philippine comeback at the twin events. Also performing are Gigi de Lana and her band The Gigi Vibes, Sam Concepcion, and Josh Cullen of PPop group SB19.
Former Miss Universe Philippines titleholders Rabiya Mateo and Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Miss Charm first runner-up Annabele McDonnel, and former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Andre Brouillette will host the twin ceremonies.
The winners will earn the chance to represent the Philippines in some of the most prestigious international competitions for men and women. They will also each bring home their own Wuling electric mini vehicle, and custom trophy designed by Jef Albea.
The two searches, presented by Kemans, serve as the headline events of the first-ever “The Filipino Festival,” a month-long celebration of Philippine culture and heritage through “The Filipino Food and Products Fest,” “The Filipino Music Fest,” “The Filipino Fashion Fest,” and “The Filipino Film Fest.” EDV