Pinoy model is 2012 Manhunt Int’l winner

MANILA, Philippines - A Batangueño who finished a runner-up in the 2012 Century Tuna Superbods search has just scored a “first” for the country by winning the 2012 Manhunt International search held in Bangkok last Friday, Nov. 9. He’s none other than June Macasaet who’s a familiar figure in Philippine Fashion Week shows.

“The Manhunt International is the longest-running male contest in the world,” noted Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib. “Until June’s victory, the highest win for the Philippines was in 1997 when Vincent Pinto was named second runner-up.”

June’s runners-up were: Sweden’s Peter Jonsson, first; Macau’s Martin Wang Yu-Tian, second; Puerto Rico’s Jimmy Perez Rivera, third; and Singapore’s Jason Chee Pei Kun, fourth (also Mr. Internet). June also got a special award as New Urban Male.

The other special awardees were:

• Best National Costume: 1) Mr. Hong Kong 2) Mr. Vietnam and 3) Mr. Venezuela

• Best Runway Model: Mr. Latvia

• Face of the Year: Mr. Puerto Rico

• Mr. Physique: Mr. Macau

• Mr. Personality: Mr. Bahamas

• Mr. Friendship: Mr. Denmark

The 10 other semi-finalists were: Colombia’s Jorge Leon Perez, Denmark’s Alexander Bach, Dominican Republic’s Joel Perez Nuñez, Greece’s Thomas Gabriel, India’s Arry Dabas, Latvia’s Ivans Jevstignejevs, Switzerland’s Lavdrim Sylejmani, Thailand’s Mookkapon Posakabuth, USA’s Andres Santa Giraldo and Venezuela’s Jeyco Edgar Esteba Ruiz.

Since 1993 when the Philippines started competing, here’s how Filipino bets have fared:

• 1993, Aaron Small, third runner-up

• 1994 (Bernie Guinto), 1995 (Roy de Guzman) and Vincent Pinto (also second runner-up), Mr. Physique

• 1998 (Michael Sol Cruz) and 1999 (Alexander Judilla), Mr. Talent

• 2000 (Richard Stewart), Best National Costume

• 2002 (Bruce Quebral) and 2005 (Ronald Brent Javier), Mr. Personality

• 2006 (Iago Lagapa Raterta, also semi-finalist) and 2007 (Roldunne Jimenez Mendoza), Mr. Internet Popularity

• 2008 (Marvin Wijangco (also semi-finalist), Mr. Personality

• 2010 (Carlo Morris Galang) and 2011 (Ron Marvin Miranda (also semi-finalist), Mr. Personality