Kirk Bondad/Instagram via Ria Corocoto
After two years of waiting, Kirk Bondad has finally begun his quest to become the Philippines’ first-ever Mister World winner as he left for Vietnam Tuesday morning, Nov. 5.
The 28-year-old German-Filipino model and content creator from Baguio City was appointed as Mister World Philippines in 2022 to represent the country in what was supposed to be the international male tilt’s 11th edition scheduled that year. But the contest did not push through as planned.
Wearing a modern Barong Tagalog, Bondad arrived at Terminal 1 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City for his flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where the 11th “Mister World Festival” is scheduled to begin.
The last Mister World pageant, its 10th edition, was held five years ago in Manila. England’s Jack Heslewood edged out 71 other aspirants that year to bag the title. The Philippines’ JB Saliba, Bondad’s predecessor, finished in the Top 12.
Bondad will try to post the Philippines’ first win in the international male competition, which is also mounted by the same organization behind the Miss World pageant.
The highest placement for the Philippines was recorded in 2012, when model and rugby player Andrew Wolff finished as first runner-up in the seventh Mister World competition held in England.
Kirk Bondad/Instagram via Ria Corocoto
INQUIRER.net spoke with Bondad before he left for his competition to discuss the two-year waiting period. “I know how to keep myself busy, and I’m a workaholic. I find ways to be proactive. I never really waited,” he said.
Just a month after his appointment as Mister World Philippines, Bondad entered the Century Superbods contest and claimed the top prize in the contest’s male category.
For the 2024 Mister World contest, Bondad said he will showcase his mother’s home city of Baguio, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines.” He aims to show that other than the tropical paradise featured in the beaches more often highlighted by Filipino delegates in the past, the country also has a literally cooler side in the mountainous terrain up north.
The 2024 Mister World competition will hold its finale in Phan Thiet, a coastal city in southeast Vietnam, just about a hundred miles east of Ho Chi Minh City. Sixty-nine participants are competing this year, including Australia’s Lochian Carey who won the Manhunt International competition held in Manila in 2022.
And to clear out any confusion, Bondad is the younger brother of Clint, who is the ex-boyfriend of 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray. The reigning Mister World Philippines’ ex-girlfriend is 2022 Miss Eco International Kathleen Paton.
Bondad has just recently announced his relationship with former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Lou Yanong, who sent him off at the airport together with his mother.