'Avengers assemble': Pageant kings visit the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — In perhaps the biggest gathering of male pageant kings in history, the Philippines plays host to four international titleholders who will grace the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide Finals Night tonight, April 28, in Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.
Mister Supranational 2024 Dr. Fezile Mkhize from South Africa, Mister Global 2024 Dom Corilla from the Philippines, Manhunt International 2024 Kevin Dasom from Thailand and Mister International 2024 Nwajagu Chinemerem Samuel from Nigeria are currently in the country to witness the crowning of the new Filipino flag bearers.
On Sunday, April 27, Mister Pilipinas Worldwide proudly hosted a press conference at Okada Manila for Mkhize, Corilla and Dasom. Samuel has yet to arrive later that day.
In a light and bubbly banter, the dashing pageant kings fielded questions from the loquacious host and some members of the media.
“Listen, nobody collapsed. I didn't need to save anybody's life, but it was 13 hours, so I was quite stiff afterwards, but it was worth it to get here,” Mkhize, who specialized in cardiothoracic surgery, said of his flight from his native South Africa.
Dasom was playfully asked what his favorite Filipino word was, but the irish-Thai just laughed. So he was asked what his favorite Filipino food are.
“Inasal, Pancit Canton, of course, Adobo ng manok, anything with ulam,” said the new Sparkle Artists talent, who can be seen alongside beauty queen-actress Herlene Budol in the GMA Afternoon Prime series, “Binibining Marikit."
Corilla, the Fil-American model, is among only a handful of Filipinos who have won in international male pageantry.
“It's definitely a lot of responsibility for me. And it's also a new experience. You know, it's also an honor to be representing your country. So, sitting here right now with these kings, it really is an honor. So, I would like to thank you, Mama J [pageant guru Jonas Gaffud], Empire [Studio], you know, for bringing, assembling the Avengers today.
“The Avengers are here, you can see. It is really an honor and, you know, it's a big responsibility. You need to be a bigger person than yourself to really carry this. You're a big person already when you stand onstage," he said.
