Cebu’s Larz Dawson is 1st runner-up at Mister Universe Tourism 2024
CEBU, Philippines — Ginoong Pilipinas 2023 Larz Kent Dawson may not have achieved a tough back-to-back for the Philippines at the Mister Universe Tourism 2024 pageant, but the model-entrepreneur can return to Cebu head held high with his first runner-up finish.
Dawson, who will graduate this May with an Entrepreneurship degree from the University of San Carlos, was also awarded Best in Formal Wear for how he carried his sparkling black tux by designer Harley Ruedas.
During the Q&A segment at the March 24 finals in Bali, Indonesia, he was asked how he would use his platform to promote lesser-known destinations if he nabbed the title.
“Joining Mister Universe Tourism, I came here not just to win, but to be a torchbearer for all the nations to come together and join each one of us because we can all learn from each other,” he said.
“I believe that I come here as the best representation of that. I can gather more candidates and more audiences for Mister Universe Tourism, we can promote the causes of the organization and I believe that we can reach a greater tomorrow with [those] causes.”
At the closed-door interviews before the finals, Dawson shared his most memorable experience in Bali that he hopes to re-create when he returns home.
“One of the most memorable activities I have done this week was the visit to John Hardy [a hand-crafted jewelry brand]. It’s a famous brand whose emphasis is on sustainability in their practices and in their products, which is inspirational,” he said.
“I wish to bring that to the Philippines, not just in my hometown of Cebu but also [the whole country], and encourage every entrepreneur and business to be more sustainable towards the environment and the future, which is my ultimate advocacy.”
India’s Chitrakanan Singh Thoudam was named second runner-up, while Taiwan’s Chien Yu Chen succeeded the Philippines’ Erik Lennart Visser. Dawson had named Chen during the closed-door interview when asked who among the seven other candidates he considers his biggest competition. “I have seen his hard work. He is dedicated to preparing for this pageant and this is not his first time, so I think that’s his edge.”
Visser and Dawson both belong to Cebu-based agency Admire Models Philippines of renowned designer, as well as model and pageant mentor Dexter Alazas. “We at Admire Models Philippines are all proud of you, as always. More journeys to embrace and challenges to conquer. Bravissimo!,” Alazas said in a social media post. — (FREEMAN)
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