Hey June!: Why this hunk with a big heart is no longer on the hunt

CEBU, Philippines - For A-list model June Mendoza Macasaet, the towering Batangueño named after his birth month, he welcomes turning the calendar’s page anew with much anticipation, and even more with heartfelt gratitude. He’s not only turning 30 this 8th of June, the days ahead will also see him inking more endorsement deals and, most importantly, will mark the homecoming of that one girl he unabashedly calls his greatest love – one that was finally slightly reciprocated after four periods of courtship and 15 years of prayers.

June, whose sudden rise to fame began right after winning the Manhunt International title last November in Bangkok, Thailand, was in town last Sunday to judge Creworks Asia’s Cebu’s Best Bodies of Summer 2013 competition held at the Montebello Villa Hotel.

Towering at 6'1”, June (also a Century Tuna Superbods Search 2012 first runner-up) is one of the rare few who shatters model myths of self-absorbed, egotistical and air-head mannequins. He’s no ultra-sophisticate, but he’s also not your gullible provinciano.

Smarts, in fact, played a huge factor in his Manhunt victory, where he pummeled 52 other gorgeous men from all over the world and made history as the first Filipino to win the contest. He is now the 16th title-holder of the Singapore-based and longest-running male model contest in the world.

Despite constant ribbing from fellow contestants, June would be diligently taking down notes during pre-pageant activities, the former real estate agent shared.

From someone who used to worry how to eat the next day, this Marketing graduate of Centro Escolar University-Manila has since enjoyed a change in fortune. These days, he is pushing himself harder career-wise, so that one day, he could run his own PR agency and provide well for his future family.

Still not yet sold? Read on then. Swoons are not prohibited, but ladies take heed: he’s no longer on the hunt.

How has life changed since your Mr. Manhunt International triumph?

I’ve had more commercials and TV guestings in Manila, as well as endorsements in Singapore. This June, I will be the endorser for Psalmstre for Men. It’s also my birthday month and it will be extra special for me because more endorsements and blessings are coming. As for how people treat and approach me, it has definitely changed. It’s like I’ve become a special person for them, which is good.

Did you feel you had a big chance of winning?

Not a first. I initially wanted to join so that I can travel to another country. I didn’t know it would be held in Thailand. I was in Thailand every three months prior to the contest since I would meet my girlfriend at that time who was a flight attendant. There, I felt how warm the people were towards me, So I told myself, “Laban na ‘to, nandito na ako eh.” I came off from Philippine Fashion Week, so I was used to having many foreigners around me. What I kept on thinking was, we had different looks and nationalities, but I knew my capability in ramp walking and modeling. I think the way I walked on stage, I wasn’t overconfident and cocky. My projection depended on what I was wearing. If I was in underwear, I’ll just have a cool stance. If I’m in formal wear, I would avoid smiling. That’s what I think differentiated me from the other contestants. During the entire nine days before the finals night, I was the only one with a pen and paper. I would jot down notes; something I learned in Philippine Fashion Week. I don’t have a photographic memory, so that wasn’t just for show. I also read the materials given to us by Manhunt. So I did my assignment.

When judging a modeling contest like Cebu’s Best Bodies of Summer 2013, what winning traits do you look for?

I see myself in them when I was still starting out as a model and when I also joined competitions. I look for the contestant with model potential. It’s not only having a fit or buff body, it’s also about how they carry themselves.

You once said that through your title, you’d like to help change the reputation of male pageants in the country. What advice would you give to male pageant organizers, in order to slowly achieve the prestige that female beauty pageants enjoy?

Sometimes the production is not polished and it comes out cheap. I think they should make the competition simple, classy and something that would come out respectable to the audience. If you have these men in underwear, parang hinahain at ginagawang pulutan sa mga tao. Let’s make it instead fashionable, stylish and decent. You can have them wear underwear, but still appear classy.

At what age were you discovered?

At 26 years old. I’m a late bloomer. I was actually a basketball player before at Centro Escolar University. I was supposed to play with the Philippine Basketball League, but it didn’t push through. Maybe basketball wasn’t really for me.

How do you deal with rejections in the modeling industry?

First off, you face a lot of rejections in modeling. When I have a go-see, I always think positively that I will get the job. If not, I move on to the next possible project.

What are your immediate career plans?

I’m going into acting. I actually appeared very briefly in “Be Careful With My Heart.” I don’t have a manager, but I have connections with ABS-CBN. I’m talking to director Wenn Deramas and also to the Mercator Models management.

How do you handle unsavory proposals?

If I’m aiming for fame, I have to work hard at it. I can earn the money by working. Like when I won Manhunt, I worked hard for that so I wouldn’t ruin my image just for that and all my efforts would have been for nothing.

Describe yourself outside the glamorous persona.

Believe it or not, I’m the shy type of person. I am also humble. I treat everyone fairly and on the same level. I reach out, and if I can help someone out, I would gladly do so.

Tell us about your childhood.

I didn’t grow up in a rich family background. There were things I wanted but we couldn’t afford. I have three other siblings, with me being the eldest. My mother was in OFW in Belgium. My dad came from a rich family who was into the coffee business before and he grew up kind of spoiled. He worked, but unfortunately his business failed. That’s the reason I joined college varsity, so I can get a scholarship. It was the same thing with my brother who managed to graduate college by playing basketball.

It’s one of your goals to earn enough that your mom no longer needs to work abroad. How’s that coming along?

Thankfully, I’ve already fulfilled that. She was in Belgium for five years, came back when I was already 18, then she left again for Dubai. It was hard because I would see other families whose mom was always present. My dad and grandma took care of us. Sadly, my lola is now in heaven. Hindi na niya inabot na ganito na ako. I won’t let my mom work abroad again since I’m now the breadwinner of the whole family. May pinapagamot din akong pamangkin. Sagot ko na sila ngayon lahat, and it feels good. The more you help your family, the more blessings pour in.

What’s your biggest fear?

To go hungry. I went through times thinking what to eat the next day. There was a time in my life -- around 18 or 19 -- when I stopped studying to give way to a younger sibling. The money I would earn in playing in basketball leagues, I would give to my sibling.

How do you spend your free time?

I go to my house in Batangas. Even before Manhunt, I was slowly building my own place. I personally helped in the digging and cementing.

Who are the male and female celebrities you admire?

Jericho Rosales and Zanjoe Marudo. Zanjoe was a schoolmate in San Sebastian and he’s also a Batangueño. For the girls, there’s Anne Curtis and Solenn Heussaff. I have a big crush on Solenn.

What’s your relationship status?

I’ve been single for three months now. She broke up with me. She said I didn’t have time and couldn’t give what she wanted. We were together for four years. She wanted to get back together but I realized it was no longer healthy and it wouldn’t be fair to her.

When was the last time you cried and why?

Just very recently and these were tears of happiness. I was waiting for this girl for 15 years. She was my high school love. I courted her four times, and she also broke my heart four times. Now, the timing is right. When I broke up with my ex, I suddenly got to talk with that girl. I have been praying for her. I did really love my ex, but let’s just say this other girl was my greatest love. I found myself crying because we were reminiscing about something that other people judging us do not know about. They’re telling me, “Noong hindi ka pa Manhunt, kinakausap ka ba niyan?” Kasi the four times she broke my heart, halos masira ang buhay ko. But maybe it wasn’t yet in God’s good time. Now, we’ve crossed paths again, we’re okay and we don’t care what other people say, which gave me so much happiness. I feel na parang nahuhulog na rin siya sa akin. I told the Lord, miracles are indeed true. Sobrang naiyak ko. That’s why now, I’m pushing myself to work very hard. And the happiest thing is, on my birthday this June, she’ll be coming home for good.

What reason did she give for repeatedly turning you down before?

I didn’t have a job, when I was supposed to already have one. Of course, a girl wants security. Hindi daw ako worth it sa kanya before. She’s also a flight attendant, so she can have it all dahil malaki ang sahod niya. Why did I pursue her kahit ilang beses na akong binasted? Kasi sa tingin ko, kung nakahanap ka ng katapat, kahit anong mangyari, maganda pa rin siya sa paningin mo. (FREEMAN)