Philippines welcomes Manhunt International delegates anew

Reigning Manhunt International Paul Luzineau (in suit) poses with the 2022 Manhunt International Male Supermodel search at the poolside of Okada Manila in Parañaque City. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Armin P. Adina

MANILA, Philippines — After hosting the 20th edition of Manhunt International in 2020, the Philippines once again welcomes the 29-year-old international male model competition with another staging that signifies its return after being sidetracked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year also marks the third time that the country has hosted the global male tilt, the first time being in 1999, the contest’s sixth edition. No competition was mounted in 2021 because of the global health crisis, which makes this year’s edition its 21st, with the Philippines hosting Manhunt International two editions in a row. The 20th edition was staged in February 2020, just before the world ground to a halt because of COVID-19.

More than 30 delegates from all over the world have flown in Manila, and were presented to a select group of media scribes at the poolside of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Sept. 26. Reigning winner Paul Luzineau, who won the title in 2020 in the competition staged at the New Frontier Theater at the Araneta City in Quezon City, came to the country much earlier than the competitors to engage in modeling projects in Manila, part of his prize package as Manhunt International.

Manhunt International was established in 1993 in Singapore, making it the oldest of the more prestigious international male competitions in the world. It has evolved to become a global search for the next male “supermodel.” This year’s promotional materials have branded the competition as “Manhunt International Male Supermodel 2022,” including the poster for the finals, scheduled on Oct. 1 at the grand ballroom of Okada Manila.

Europe has been dominating Manhunt International with a total of nine winners coming from the continent in the 20 previous editions of the global competition, including Germany’s Thomas Sasse who first held the title.

Joshua De Sequera, son of Filipino supermodel Marina Benipayo, is representing the Philippines in Manhunt International. Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Armin P. Adina

The Philippines scored its first, and so far only, victory with June Macasaet who won in 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand. He also became the longest-reigning Manhunt International winner because the competition had a short hiatus from 2013 to 2015, returning only in 2016 in Shenzhen, China.

For this year’s edition of Manhunt International, the Philippines will be represented by Joshua De Sequera, son of Filipino supermodel and beauty queen Marina Benipayo. JB

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