Mandaue bet crowned Mister Men Int’l Philippines 2019

CEBU, Philippines — Jan Andre Suico, a 19-year-old from Mandaue City, was among the six gentlemen out of 30 candidates who landed a crown in the Mister Grand Philippines 2019 pageant which held its coronation night Sept. 19 at the Crossroads Convention Center in Timog, Quezon City.

The Cebuano was named Mister Men International Philippines 2019, giving him the right to represent the country at Men International in February 2020.

Suico is a freshman at the Flight Dynamics School of Aeronautics, studying Aircraft Maintenance. He spends his leisure time playing basketball, volleyball and boxing.

“I put in so much effort and time to achieve this crown. All of my hard work and prayers paid off,” said Suico, whose other pageant titles include Mr. Gaisano Grand Mall 2018, Mr. Governor’s Cup 2018, and Mr. UCLM 2017.

Through the pageant, he said he realized the deeper meaning of responsibility, brotherhood and integrity.

Suico, who has always aspired to represent Cebu in a national pageant, said he dedicates his crown to God and to all the people who believed in him, most especially his mother.

“I remember when I was still a beginner in the pageant industry. When I lose, I always get discouraged but my mom is always there by my side to lift my spirits up,” he shared.

An advocate of environmental education in the elementary level, Suico said he will use his platform as one of the Mister Grand Philippines title-holders to push for his cause, since he believes that education is a great tool for remarkable change.

Suico’s fellow candidate from Cebu, Rejee Manatad of Lapu-Lapu City, also did well with a second-runner up finish. An 18-year-old senior high school student at Asian Learning Center, he is likewise no stranger to pageants, having won Mr. San Nicolas 2017 and Mr. Gaisano Grand Mall 2017 second runner-up.

Manatad signed up for the pageant with the advocacy of promoting sports among the youth, seeing it as a positive diversion from vices such as drugs and alcohol.

In joining pageants, he said it is important to not only give your all but to also enjoy the moment because “that is what makes everything worth it.”

Manatad has showbiz aspirations, and he sees his pageant forays as a stepping stone to a possible acting career.

Winning the top crown of Mister Grand Philippines 2019 was Paolo Gallardo of Ilocos, who will represent the country in Mister Grand International happening in Myanmar later this year.

Other title-holders are Rambo Dañas of Surigao Del Norte as Mister Prime International Philippines 2019, Michael Ver Comaling of Ormoc City as Mister Icon World Philippines 2019, Mister Global Man International Philippines 2019 Christian Villarin of Iloilo, and Taipan Paule of Lubao, Pampanga as Mister Tourism Globe Philippines 2019.

Paule is currently in Legazpi, Albay, where Mister Tourism Globe 2019 is being held. Finals night is on Sept. 27.

Completing the court are Martin Sardiña of Zambales as first runner-up, John David Schön of Binangonan as third runner-up and Dan Basconcillo of Nueva Vizcaya as fourth runner-up.