Text and photos by Drew Francisco
The 13th edition of the Mister International competition concluded on February 24 with Trinh Bao of Vietnam winning the title in gliterring ceremonies held at One Esplanade in Pasay City, Philippines.
The 24-year-old model and gym coach from Ho Chi Minh City bested 38 other contestants for the title. He received the sash and trophy from outgoing titleholder Seung Hwan Lee.
This marks the second time Vietnam won Mister International after Ngo Tien Doan in 2008.
Venezuela’s Francesco Piscitelli placed first runner-up, while Hong Kong’s Waikin Kwan finished second runner-up.
Jiri Kmonicek of the Czech Repuiblic and host delegate Mark Kevin Baloaloa of the Philippines completed the Top 5.
The Top 10 finalists were composed of the Dominican Republic’s Arturo Paredes, Norway’s Mathias Duma, Panama’s Juan Angel Gaviria, Puerto Rico’s Julian Rivera, and Thailand’s Nick Nolte.
The rest of the 16 finalists were Australia’s Harrison Luna, Japan’s Tsuyoshi Takimura, Korea’s Dae Woong Hwang, Spain’s Jesús Collado, and Peru’s Duilio Vallebuona (fan vote winner).
Nicaragua’s Naykel Nino won Best in National Costume.
The contestants were divided based on their geographical location: Asia and the Pacific, Americas and Europe & Africa. Three contestants from each group advanced to the Top 15. Five wildcards were added regardless of the group. Completing the list was the Mister International fan vote winner. Missosology.Org
