UNEXPECTED. That is what best describes the 14th Mister International edition overall with so many plot twists and turns that left us gasping for air.
An unexpected winner was named Mister International this year with Manu Franco of the Dominican Republic in the finals held at the New Frontier Theatre last October 30th. The good looking gent was not in most pageant pages’ radar as potential winner but eventually romped away with the title. Heavy favorite Lukanand Kshetrimayum of India (2nd place), Jason Li of Hongkong (4th), MJ Ordillano of the Philippines (5th) and Juan Pablo Colias of Spain (6th) ended up as runners up. The very eloquent Orangel Dirinot of Venezuela, who we thought nailed the final question & answer, settled as 2nd runner up (3rd place).
2022 Mister International Winners
Mister International 2022 – Dominican Republic, Manu Franco
1st runner up – India, Lukanand Kshetrimayum
2nd runner up – Venezuela, Orangel Dirinot
3rd runner up – Hong Kong, Jason Li
4th runner up – Philippines, MJ Ordillano
5th runner up – Spain, Juan Pablo Colias
Top 10 Semifinalists (in alphabetical order)
- Cuba, Rubert Manuel
- Mexico, Jorge Villegas
- Thailand, Surasak Muangkaew
- USA, Daryn Alexander
Top 16 Semifinalists (in alphabetical order)
- Brazil, Luan Antonelli
- Czech Republic, Matěj Švec
- Malaysia, Roger Hugo Amandus
- Netherlands, Iliya Shahedi
- Peru, Eleazar Moreno
- Switzerland, Marcel Ignacio Riera
Overall, this year gathered a great set of candidates. There was a number of really good looking and smart gentlemen that could have made semis. Based on our list of faves, 11 out of the 12 names on our list made it past the first cut. While we didn’t have Manu Franco on our list, the remaining runners up were definitely. We just felt that based on overall performance, perhaps India, Spain and Venezuela were better choices. However this feel that the organization is moving towards crowning more ‘relatable’ winners with Manu being their choice.
Video Recap of the Finals
Here are several video highlighting the finals of the Mister International competition.
Ownership Controversy
The passing of Mister International founder Alan Sim was a painful blow to the organization. And the clear succession of ownership it caused is a big problem for the pageant.
There is a current battle over the ownership of the pageant with two heads proclaiming themselves as owners. This power struggle will definitely cause issues on how the pageant will move forward until it is resolved. On one hand we have Pradit Pradinut having control of the main Mister International social media accounts of the pageant with their team posting an announcement of the pageant ownership. Then on the other hand, there is Atty. Manuel Deldio who proclaims he has the legal documents to prove ownership.
The battle of the ownership must be settled in court so that it will be clearly established who will steer the pageant to its future. Or else it will become its own ruin and would damage the brand name of the competition.
We cannot leave this issue to be decided by friends of the late founder. It must be done so by legal courts and not by public sentiments. Let’s challenge who among the two Presidents of the Mr. International pageant show legal documents of ownership.
With an organization split into two could this be the downfall of the Mr. International organization? Let us know your thoughts on the comment section below…
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